St Philip & St James
Ilfracombe, Devon
Pip and Jim’s is a dramatic Victorian landmark in the harbour area of Ilfracombe.
Standing on the site of a Saxon church, the Norman church was enlarged to its present size in 1322, and the tower incorporated inside the building. It has one of the finest wagon-roofs in the west country dating from the 15th century which is richly carved with bosses, angels, figures and five Green Men in a row. At the East end of the nave above the former rood screen is a ceilure or Glory, with three bays enriched by cross ribs and much decoration.
The chancel ceiling is modern by George Fellowes Prynne in 1899. The square baptismal font is Norman of about 1160 and is decorated with three rosettes and ears of wheat on each face with a scalloped underside. The Elizabethan pulpit has arched columns and panels containing floral motifs. A 14th century piscina can be found in the chancel. The nave roof has wonderful stone corbels representing mythical beasts, and on top of these are carved wooden angels. The lychgate and the vestry date from 1894 and are by Henry Wilson, the best pupil of JD Sedding.