Cheldon Devon
Church of St Mary, Cheldon Devon is a small  late 15c / early 16c building of stone in the Perpendicular style, consisting of a chancel, nave, south porch and squat two stage embattled  tower containing 4 bells made in 1914 by Mears &amp; Stainbank 
Over south doorway are 2 plaster medallions with busts in relief.
All restored in 1873 by the Earl of Portsmouth, at a cost of £500,  with new windows , new wagon roof over the nave, chancel refaced and upper section of tower rebuilt,  
It has only 40 sittings.  (by 1901 the population was 46)

Cheldon is a hamlet in north-eastern Devon, above the steep valley of the Little Dart River, five miles above the point where it falls into the River Taw and three miles east of Chulmleigh. The nearest village of any size is Chawleigh, on the other side of the Little Dart.

 Its 12c font with elongated lead-lined octagonal bowl on a short stem and square base. survives from an early building ,  The probably late 17c bench ends, are in late 15c / early 16c style with elaborate Perpendicular and foliated tracery

The late 15c / early 16c wagon roof over the chancel has a crenellated wall-plate with floriated decoration at intervals, moulded ribs, the central rib with human head bosses to the base and large bosses at the intersections.   There are late 17c / early 18c communion rails with barley sugar balusters 

The pulpit has raised and fielded panelled sides to the polygonal drum. 

The stone flag floors have some very worn late medieval patterned tiles. 

The unusual chancel &quot;screen&quot; has on each side a 19c timber base, with narrow 18c headrail with small turned balusters surmounted by elaborate and delicate wrought iron open traceried panels, possibly reused from family chest tombs. 
Both panels are of 3 bays, the 1743 left side flanked by fluted pilasters with Corinthian capitals surmounted by Classical torches; on the 1737 right side these are placed over the 2 outer bays.   Both panels have central heraldic shields with elaborate scrollwork to the overthrows, one of which displays 3 creatures identified as badgers or bears.

Monuments: 
Nave north side. Timber board with painted verse Phil.IV.v.6. Early 18C wall monument with inscription to William Webber. oval medallion in rectangular moulded surround, skull to base, angels to head. 
Small 18c wall tablet on south side with inscription to Mary Cornwall and Mrs Elston 'concerning whose decease the reader is referr'd to ye adjoyning monument'.   This has Corinthian pilasters flanking oval medallion with inscriptions to the above and other members of the finials

Electric lighting &amp; heating where put in place in 1966, in memory of William Flewings 1950 &amp; wife Ella 1961 of Winswood Farm by their children 

The church is open for Evensong once a month 

Philip Halling CCL <a href="https://wikishire.co.uk/wiki/File:Cheldon_church_-_geograph.org.uk_-_126115.jpg" rel="noreferrer nofollow">wikishire.co.uk/wiki/File:Cheldon_church_-_geograph.org.u...</a>
cheldon devon church