St Peter

enlarged in circa early C14, altered in C15 and restored in 1871-2 by J.P. St. Aubyn.

Slate roofs, the nave roof is carried down over the aisles, the chancel and transept roofs are lower, all with gabled ends and late C19 crested ridge tiles.

The origin of the church is probably pre-Conquest since the former dedication was to St. Petrock, but the earliest surviving fabric is probably C13.

William de Maccombe is mentioned as the rector in 1272.

Creswell suggests that the church was reconstructed in circa 1312 when the aisles were added to the earlier C13 cruciform church partly absorbing the short transepts.

But the arcade piers appear to be C13 with rather incongruous arches similar to the chancel arch

the transept crossing arches and piers seem to be C15 and therefore would have been rebuilt.

The tower is probably of C13 origin.

The north porch was probably built in the C17 and the vestry and organ chamber were added either in 1861 when the first organ was built or in 1871-2 when the church was restored, reroofed and reseated by J.B. St. Aubyn.

The north porch has a chamfered 2-centred arch of dressed slate, inner doorway is C14 with a moulded 2-centred arch with a hoodmould, the door is Cl9, the porch has a Cl9 common rafter roof.

C15 granite 4-centred arch west window without cusping and with hoodmould

The fifth east bay is the transept cross arch and has slender moulded piers with a shaft at each corner and 2 fillets and a recessed shaft between, moulded bases, Beerstone capitals finely carved with foliage and high moulded Beerstone 2-centred arches and a second capital above the pier capitals at the springing of the arch, the north one more richly carved, the south east respond capital is moulded and the north east one is carved with arms of the Carews.

The carved polygonal pulpit of 1891 is by Miss Violet Pinwill.

The 1916 lectern is a life size figure of an angel carved in wood and the 1984 lectern by Nigel Watson is a seagull on a rock.

1911 carved wooden Gothic altar rail and altar also 1911 has 3 carved panels on front with palm tree columns between.

Norman font of pink sandstone with plain round bowl with roll moulding below and circular stem with a moulded base, below which there is a late base with spired corners set on a late C19 Devon limestone plinth

The Norman font is made of red sandstone with a lead lining. It still shows the marks of a hinge and bolt for locking. In 1236 it was ordered that all fonts should have a lockable lid to prevent the theft of Holy Water.

© Maigheach-gheal

Memorials: C13 recumbent effigy under tower arch, formerly in chancel, is probably Eleanor Mohun, wife of Sir John Carew and clad late C13 costume.

Brass at east end of nave to John Carp and a lady (probably his grand daughter) 1361, said to be the oldest dated brass in the West Country.

Brass to Elias Newcomen, 1614, reset under south side of chancel arch.

In chancel memorial to George Goodridge 1781.

There are many other C19 memorials to local families some signed by the masons.

Stained glass: Most of the window tracery was replaced in 1871-2.

The winged ox relates to the attention St Luke's gospel gives to the sacrificial aspects of Christ's life.

© Maigheach-gheal