Broadhembury Devon
 Church of St Andrew, Broadhembury Devon built of flint and  Beer stone , with local greensand and red sandstone.
Hembury Fort (Handria) nearby dating from 3000 BCE, was also used by the Romans. After them came the Celts &amp; Saxons  who may have built a small wooden church . 
In Saxon times, this manor of Hanberia was owned by Brictric who legend says refused a marriage to Matilda of Flanders, later wife of William the Conqueror.   After the conquest of 1066 Britric's estates were seized, and Broadhembury was given to William's half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux.   From Odo it passed through several hands until it was granted to the monks of Dunkeswell Abbey, six miles away.
During the Black Death of 1364, the population was affected, and 2 priests died.
Mid 16c Henry VIII presented the land to Thomas Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, who sold it to Sir Thomas Drewe, son of Edward Drewe a sergeant at arms to Queen Elizabeth, who was responsible for the building of the manor house adjoining a small farm house at The Grange in c1603.
Julius Drewe bought the inn and half the village early in 20c .   Broadhembury House, a large thatched residence  opposite the church, was converted by him from an old cottage in 1901.  The descendants of Julius (who also built Castle Drogo in Drewsteignton), still live here and It is thanks to Sir Cedric Drewe that the village has kept its excellent character over the years.
Their family pew is at the west end of the south aisle sited over ornamental iron grilles which ventilate the heating
system,   <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/i92894cHXD">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/i92894cHXD</a>

The present church was consecrated in 1259, and mostly rebuilt in 14c / 15c.  The first recorded rector was Sir Martin de Litylbyri who died in 1274.
Again legend says that the master mason built Broadhembury, and his pupil built nearby Broad Clyst, and that the master hung himself through mortification at being excelled in building by his pupil 
Parts of the nave are probably 14c or earlier, with added 15c  south aisle.  The tower holding 5 bells, dates to 1480 and stands almost 100 feet high with gargoyles near its battlemented top.   A taller battlemented polygonal stair turret with external door, is at the north-east corner with a tall conical stunted lead spire.   The porch dating to 1520 has an elaborate inner ceiling <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Zx71e471Py">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Zx71e471Py</a>

One of the most impressive interior features is the 15c roof, with vividly painted timbers which for centuries were hidden under plaster and accidentally exposed during repairs in 1930.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/7A65F1516B">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/7A65F1516B</a> 

The 15c font is carved with figures of saints, a priest, 2 bishops, and a cowled monk, between shields now blank,  It  was badly damaged, perhaps during the 17c Civil War.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/9JCho750CA">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/9JCho750CA</a>

In the north nave wall is a large window beside the pulpit dating to 1470 and is said to be unique; on  inside are richly carved figures of the angels   <a href="https://flic.kr/p/9tbSSZ" rel="noreferrer nofollow">flic.kr/p/9tbSSZ</a>  , and outside, figures said to represent the World, the Flesh, and the Devil.   <a href="https://flic.kr/p/9tbGq4" rel="noreferrer nofollow">flic.kr/p/9tbGq4</a>

There are memorials to the Drewe family,
Edward Drewe 1598 lies with his wife Bridget FitzWilliam &amp; family In the south chancel chapel <a href="https://flic.kr/p/xU8FPX" rel="noreferrer nofollow">flic.kr/p/xU8FPX</a>
Sir Thomas Drewe 1651 kneels on the north chancel wall.  <a href="https://flic.kr/p/xzZcQw" rel="noreferrer nofollow">flic.kr/p/xzZcQw</a>
Edward Drewe 1675 whose funeral helmet is set upon the wall next to his elaborate monument <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/9q6W240283">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/9q6W240283</a>

Also in the chancel is an 1898 wall memorial to Augustus Toplady 1778, vicar here, who was the author of the popular hymn, 'Rock of Ages'.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/9P7Scq98qC">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/9P7Scq98qC</a>

A small panel bearing the sacred monogram IHS is all that remains of the medieval rood screen, part of which survived until c 1850 when it was removed during restoration work and accidently destroyed by fire ( !!! ) <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/9K4P0ez5Yv">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/9K4P0ez5Yv</a>

Major restoration begun in 1845 involved the rebuilding of the chancel, the addition of the vestry and  the rebuilding of the west gallery as a private pew and general refurbishment.

The registers: baptisms, 1540; marriages, 1538; burials, 1538., and are in a good state of preservation with a  curious entry relating about a great frost of 1739 which lasted for nine weeks.

As a result of fund raising by the congregation , the tower room is used for small meetings and has washing and heating facilities and the Lady Chapel can also be used as a small meeting / worship area. The church is open every day and a small army of people, many not churchgoers themselves, attend to the myriad of functions that help keep the building in good order and accessible to all. These include a rota for opening and locking the church each day, flower arrangers and church cleaners. Although also benefiting from voluntary work, the regular maintenance and grass cutting of the churchyard is by contract.
Copyright Jerry <a href="https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101281269-church-of-st-andrew-broadhembury/photos/64932#.ZEpY6c7MJD8" rel="noreferrer nofollow">britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101281269-church-of-st-andre...</a>
devon church broadhembury