Combpyne Devon
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Combpyne in Devon is now supported by the Devon Historic Churches Trust, and serves the joint parish of Combpyne and Rousdon. 
The village name comes from the  Old English &quot;Combe&quot; =  &quot;wooded valley&quot; with Pyne added when that medieval family inherited the manor by marriage from the Coffins 

Probably built on a Saxon foundation, the church is now mainly from c1240 - (Earlier during the reign of Pope Urban lll  1185 - 87 he settled a dispute as to the former church living) 
It is built of stone rubble with freestone dressings under a slate roof , and comprises a short nave, chancel,  south porch, &amp; west tower with saddleback roof,  which has 3 bells , two dating from 1400 are among the oldest in Devon   <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/b92K00rvLP">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/b92K00rvLP</a>
Some changes were made in the early 14c, and again in the 15c when new windows were inserted in the nave.   The stairs to the now lost rood loft can still be seen. 
The interior west wall of the church tower has a design of a cross within a circle which is thought to commemorate the first consecration cross. It was uncovered in 1951 when the gallery was removed. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/2599uA1YmD">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/2599uA1YmD</a>
Also In recent times 17c painted texts have been found at the west end of the south &amp; north nave walls together with a 14c drawing of a sailing ship <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/cpwM6kN4En">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/cpwM6kN4En</a>

The fittings and glass are the result of the restoration of 1878 by Rev William Poulton , rector from 1875 - 1883 &quot;by whose care the fabric was restored from a state of ruinous decay&quot;.   Also recorded is &quot;the giver of the new holy table begs that this, which served for so long as the altar of this church may be allowed to remain in its ancient position AD 1893&quot;
The church retains a chalice and paten of pre-Reformation date (c 1500), still in regular use.

At some time in the past a new north-south road was made through the churchyard, the south door closed and the north door became the principal entrance. This arrangement was reversed in the 19c .

Open every day, It is well loved, welcoming and definitely worth a visit.  There are usually two services every month plus special seasonal ones

The former railway station at Combpyne was a part of the Lyme Regis branch line and closed in 1965,

Picture with thanks - copyright Jan Kingshott <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2392546/st.-mary-churchyard-extension" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2392546/st.-mary-churchyard-e...</a>
combpyne devon church