Bere Ferrers, Devon
Church of St Andrew, Bere Ferrers Devon 
There has been a church here, looking over the River Tavy since the Saxon era.  The church now consists of nave, chancel, long north and south transepts, north chapel, south aisle, west tower and south porch.  the River Tavy, since the Saxon era.  
Shortly after 1066, the Normans built a  new church from which the 12c font of Hurdwick stone from Tavistock, lined with lead and large enough to allow for complete immersion, is a survivor  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/</a>
This church was replaced c 1243 by Sir William de Ferrers d1280 who lies with one of his wives under an arch north of the chancel altar.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/ca39t9BYh6">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/ca39t9BYh6</a>   He founded an Arch Presbytery, with 4 priests and a deacon under an Arch Priest.   The first rector was William's younger brother Reginald de Ferrers, who was installed in 1258.  The clergymen lived across the road from the church, with their quarters joined by an underground passage.   Supported by choirboys they said daily prayers for the souls of Sir William and his wife from one of 5 altars throughout the day &amp; night.   
The presbytery was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1533, but even today the rector of Bere Ferrers bears the title of Arch Priest.

In the north transept is an effigy widely thought to be  William's son, Sir Reginald de Ferrers  1315 <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/r0jB3k16m6">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/r0jB3k16m6</a>

c 1332, Sir William's grandson, son of Reginald, another William, extended the church, in part with money from a successful silver mine nearby . However the success of the mine came to the attention of Edward I  who annexed it for the Crown &amp; and ordered the silver to be sent to London.
This Sir William is thought to be the knight kneeling in the  wonderful 14c stained glass in the chancel east window being the oldest glass of any parish church in Devon.   Sir William  a model of the church and a latin inscription says &quot;Wills Fereys me fecit&quot;. (William Ferrers made me)  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/AkPRBc972g">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/AkPRBc972g</a>   Opposite kneels his wife  Matilda Carminow.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/M10UA12545">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/M10UA12545</a> Between them Christ in Majesty stands in the centre panel Below is a likeness of a pilgrim.  Above are roundels with the dead rising from their graves on the day of judgement. 

The building was extended again in the 15c when the south transept was enlarged to create an aisle, possibly followed by the tower.    Despite this, and later 17c remodelling of the interior, much of what we can see today is unaltered 14c work 
All restored in 1871 

Near the altar a small brass plaque marks the spot of the tragic accidental death in 1821 of antiquarian artist Charles Stothard who fell from a ladder whilst making sketches of the chancel stained glass.   A note in his pocket from his wife, said 'Take care not to fall from high places'.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/T5Mm35Bq0q">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/T5Mm35Bq0q</a>

On the north wall of the chancel is a memorial to 10 New Zealand soldiers who were killed at Bere Ferrers rail station in 1917. The men got off a troop transport train, believing they were alighting at Exeter station to receive food rations.  At the same instant, an express train passed in the other direction, and the men were instantly killed.   A New Zealand flag hangs from the wall beside the memorial, a gift from High Commissioner Bryce Harland in 1989. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/YVbG5F9rQh">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/YVbG5F9rQh</a>

Also in the transept is a beautifully decorated table tomb thought to be that of the 2nd Baron Willougby de Broke, who died in 1522 at Bere Barton, the victim 'of a pestilence'.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/7RA8y7N0s3">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/7RA8y7N0s3</a>

Between the chancel and nave are remnants of a medieval screen, with defaced likenesses of saints. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/7eB6Ch5E8z">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/7eB6Ch5E8z</a>


The arch-braced timber roof dates from the restoration in 1985-6.

Picture with thanks - copyright Michael Garlick CCL <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6878284" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6878284</a>
bere ferrers bereferrers church devon