St John the Baptist

The church was mainly constructed with local stone, built in the Early English and perpendicular style. Most of the present building dates from late 15th and early 16th century, but building fabric dating from the medieval period still survives together with many early fittings and fixtures. These all add to the historical significance of this lovely church. The church was restored in 1884.

There is a 3 stage tower with a spire in diminishing stages. The proportions and window details at belfry level suggest a late fourteenth century date for the tower. This would correspond to the time of the wool boom which brought prosperity to Devon and led to many churches being upgraded. There are eight bells in the tower, the earliest is 1552 and the latest 1883.  A brass plate near the belfry entrance give details of the local Churchward family, through whose generosity the bells were re-cast and re-hung in memory of George Gould Churchward in 1929. The door to the belfry is believed to be original.

The fifty-four foot octagonal spire brought down by the storm of January 1990 is dated to the mid-fifteenth century. Weathered with cedar shingles, its timbers have some unusual features such spires are rare in this part of the country. The present font is 12th century with some interesting patterns on the floor tiles which surround it.

Originally the church had a single nave without aisles. The north and south aisles are probably of slightly different dates, but we believe the south aisle to be earlier.

The wagon roof is remarkable. The section of the roof approaching the chancel is ornate and probably relates to the rood screen and loft which originally existed and was reached by the staircase on the south wall, still in situ. There are some beautifully carved early 16th century pew ends in the centre aisle in the nave. In the south wall of the chancel is a well preserved piscina.

The presence of a second piscina in the south east corner is evidence of a chantry chapel in this corner of the building. It is believed to be connected with the medieval Guild of St Mary of Hatherleigh. When the rood loft was demolished around 1545 the chantry became part of the church. The roof bosses and angels in this part of the wagon roof are original and were once brightly painted, probably to match the rood screen. Though faded now the colours can still be seen if a light is shone on them.

There are fourteen windows, nine of these have stained glass.  There are many memorial tablets in the church.