Bow Devon
Church of St Bartholomew the parish church of Bow in Devon actually lies in the nearby hamlet of Nymet Tracey just over a kilometre to the south.
The church consists of a chancel, nave, north aisle, south porch and embattled western tower containing 5 bells, of which the 1st, 3rd and tenor are by Bibbies of Cullompton 1754; the 2nd 1764; and the 4th by Penningtons of Exeter 1765.

It is said to be one of three churches erected in Devonshire by Sir William de Tracey, in expiation of the murder of Thomas à Becket in 1170.  A Norman carving of a knight's head above the entrance <a href="https://devonchurchland.co.uk/galleries/bow-church-of-st-bartholomew-gallery/#gallery/a81ce509e9f02f7393fb4ecacc290582/3535" rel="noreferrer nofollow">devonchurchland.co.uk/galleries/bow-church-of-st-bartholo...</a> may be his portrait  <a href="https://devonchurchland.co.uk/galleries/bow-church-of-st-bartholomew-gallery/#gallery/a81ce509e9f02f7393fb4ecacc290582/3531" rel="noreferrer nofollow">devonchurchland.co.uk/galleries/bow-church-of-st-bartholo...</a>

The tower and nave, which are in the Decorated style, were rebuilt c1370, and the north aisle, which is Perpendicular, was added in the 15c together with the south porch which has a slate sundial above <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/R4S0wqD8HW">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/R4S0wqD8HW</a>
Both nave and aisle have 15c open wagon roofs but they are not identical, the nave having an 8-bay roof similar to that in the south porch.  The 11-bay open wagon roof of the aisle is of higher quality with moulded ribs and a continuous wall plate which is carved as a fruiting vine and has a crenellated top. The original wall plate survives only on the north side. 

The chancel was rebuilt in 1862, and the windows filled with stained glass.   General renovation followed in 1889-90 by architect Robert Medley Fulford of Exeter,  with carpentry and joinery by Harry Hems which included the boarded wagon roof in the chancel, Gothic-style carved oak reredos &amp; 
oak choir stalls.  Nave and aisle have 19c parquet  floors &amp; oak pews.  The walls are panelled with oak wainscotting made up from the discarded 18c pews.

The 15c rood screen of 5 bays with central doorway in the chancel differs in pattern from the slightly later north aisle screen of 4½ bays,  and both are of a type unusual in Devonshire.  In the lower panels, instead of the usual paintings of the saints, there is a linen-fold pattern.  There was recorded &quot;a good deal of ancient colouring&quot;, however the whole screen was brightly painted with gloss paint in 1984 ( !! ) with the design said to be based on traces of the original decorative scheme.  It also appears to have suffered in its removal from its former position, and does not seem to fit its present space.   It may have had a rood loft which is now totally lost.   The unpainted rear is plain and unembellished. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/522cWQi750">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/522cWQi750</a> The 15c Perpendicular oak parclose is a light and simpler version of the north aisle screen, and is much-restored.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Tj75y1680X">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Tj75y1680X</a>

In 1680 the churchwardens paid for new altar rails, however the ones before the altar are probably 18c 

The 14c Beerstone font survives, though probably recut in 19c. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/8450a8x1a0">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/8450a8x1a0</a>

The registers date: baptisms, 1608; marriages, 1604; burials, 1604.

In the churchyard are buried 2 servicemen: 
Thomas Holmes, Serjeant Royal Engineers who died 6th March 1919 aged 28 &amp;  Fred Francis Murrin, Corporal 41 Squadron RAF died 18th May 1943 aged 23. 

Picture with thanks - copyright Derek Harper CCL <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1895560" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1895560</a>
bow church devon