St Bridget's Church, Bridestowe

St Bridget's Church in Bridestowe, Devon, is a parish church in the Church of England and one of the central buildings in the rural area on the northwestern edge of Dartmoor. It is a Grade II* listed building of medieval construction with restorations made in the 19th century.[1][2]

St Bridget's Church, Bridestowe
St Bridget's Church, viewed from the churchyard
St Bridget's Church, Bridestowe is located in Devon
St Bridget's Church, Bridestowe
St Bridget's Church, Bridestowe
50°41′08″N 4°06′20″W / 50.685426°N 4.105569°W / 50.685426; -4.105569
OS grid referenceSX 51353 89430
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
ChurchmanshipCentral churchmanship
Websitewww.northmoorteam.org.uk/bridestowe-st-bridgets
History
StatusOperational
Founded13th & 15th century
DedicationSaint Bridget
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade II* listed
Specifications
Capacity150 seats
Number of towers1
MaterialsGranite
Bells6
Administration
ProvinceCanterbury
DioceseExeter
ArchdeaconryTotnes
ParishBridestowe
Clergy
Vicar(s)Revd Adrian Brook

Building

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The church is mostly 13th and 15th century, with a west tower and some fragments of Norman work as well as Early English and Perpendicular styles.[3] It is dedicated to the Irish Saint Bride or Bridget, who is depicted in one of the stained glass windows, and from whom the name of the surrounding village is derived.[4] The church's distinctive gateway is described in White's Directories as "a fine Norman arch supposed to be the remains of the original church".[5] Restorations were carried out in circa 1820, 1866, and 1890.[6]

Memorials

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On the north wall of the chancel is a 1665 memorial of 1665 to Lady Honor Fortescue Calmady, wife of Sir Shilston Calmady and mother of Josias Calmady.[7][8] The churchyard contains the grave of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Wollocombe (1814).[9]

Current day

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Regular services are only held on Sunday mornings.[10] A local flower festival is periodically held at the church.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Church of St Bridget". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Bridestowe: St Bridget". Church of England. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  3. ^ Pevsner, N. (1952) South Devon. Penguin Books; p. 62
  4. ^ Watts, Victor (2010). The Cambridge Dictionary of English Place-names (1st paperback ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 85. ISBN 978-0-521-16855-7.
  5. ^ White, William (1878). History, Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Devon including the City of Exeter (2nd ed.). Sheffield.
  6. ^ Cresswell, Beatrix (1906). Notes on Devon Churches in the Deanery of Okehampton.
  7. ^ "1 Jonathan Prideaux, of Thuborough, Devon, esq, and son 2 Sir Shilston Calmady, kt". The National Archives (United Kingdom). Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  8. ^ "CHURCH OF ST BRIDGET". Historic England. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  9. ^ Lysons, Daniel; Lysons, Samuel. "Parishes: Bridestowe – Butterleigh". Magna Britannia: Volume 6, Devonshire (London, 1822): 69–92. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Bridestowe - St Bridget's". Northmoor Team Ministry. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Fabulous flower festival at St Bridget's Church in Bridestowe". Okehampton Times. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
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