All Saints Churchyard, West Alvington, Devon - Churchyard Cemeteries on Waymarking.com

This churchyard is at All Saints Church in West Alvington in Devon.

All Saints church can be found in the village of West Alvington in South Devon. There is evidence that a church stood on the site in 909 AD. The present fine building is Early Perpendicular & was remodelled in the 15th century. The remains of the earlier 13th century stone-work can be seen by the piscina. The whole church was extensively restored in 1867 at a cost of two thousand six hundred pounds when the roofs, screen & seating were replaced. It consists now of tower - with belfry - nave, two aisles, parts of the original rood screen, a chapel set apart for the Ilbert family, chancel & a vicar's vestry added in the 19th century.
The square West tower has three stages with a crenellated parapet - which rises to 53ft - & is supported by set-back buttresses. At the top are four crocketted pinnacles which are, unusually, 20ft high. The 2-light cinquefoiled belfry lights have probably been restored. It is entered by a 15th century 2-centred arched West doorway above which is a Perpendicular window.
The six bells were installed by the Ilbert family in 1775, & were rehung in 1877 at a cost of sixty five pounds, all the money being raised by public subscription. For over 50 years the bellringers of the parish have been renowned for excellent ringing & have won many trophies.

The 15th century 2-storey crenellated porch has a large round-headed doorway with a image niche above it containing the figure of St Hugh of Lincoln with his swan. This was erected in memory of Revd Hugh Lethbridge, a former vicar of the parish. Inside, there is a small niche in the left wall, & unusually, a fireplace in the right front corner because the porch was for some time used as the School room. At the end, a small doorway with s shouldered head leads to a stairway to the room above, which was a rest room for visiting preachers. The large South doorway has a heavy planked oak iron-studded door with the original lock casing.

The late medieval 15th century octagonal stone font has eight panels, decorated with leaves, surrounding the lead-lined bowl. Four of these are very crudely carved & were possibly turned to the wall when the font was originally placed under the tower. The supporting column & base are recent additions. The lid of iron-studded oak is probably 19th century.

All the main windows are Perpendicular design, some to the North retain the original tracery, others have been restored. The East window of 5-lights depicts the Saints in Suffering, the Saints in Labour & the Saints in Glory designed in 1867. The West window in the tower represents the Resurrection.

The altar is made as a strong simple table. In the South wall is a 13th century piscina & an inset bench with chamfered arches over, & a small priest's door with 2-centred head. There is a Purbeck marble canopied tomb, rare in Devon, set into the North wall.

Name of church or churchyard: ALL SAINTS CHURCHYARD Approximate Size: Small (11-50)

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Date Logged Log User Rating   07/30/2008 plymplodder visited it

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