Bigbury Devon
Church of St Lawrence, Bigbury Devon,  reached by a narrow lane, is a conspicuous land-mark for mariners out at sea, and the whole Bay, from Stoke Point to Bolt Tail, known as “Bigbury Bay”.

The church is thought to have been originally built in 12c its list of rectors dating back to 1274, when it consisted of chancel, nave &amp; tower, the Lords of the Manor of Bigbury Court,  being the knightly family of de Bikebury, who gave their name to the Parish . The last male representative of this family William de Bykebury, was said to have been killed in a duel at Morley Bridge, near Woodleigh, and the north aisle is thought to have been added by &quot;his 2 daughters, in memory of their slain father, and that they themselves were  commemorated in brass here in that aisle&quot;  More likely the aisle was erected by his widow <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/wbzE28Pde3">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/wbzE28Pde3</a> &amp; his eldest daughter .  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/h3f2F4172F">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/h3f2F4172F</a>

The present building is partly early 14c and partly as rebuild by E &amp; J. D. Sedding in 1868-72 at a cost of £1200 under the direction of architect J. Bedding  with 200 sittings. - An inscription to Georgina Maria Harris d1886, wife of Rev James Parker Harris, says it was &quot;to whose liberality the restoration of the church was mainly due&quot;   The chancel east window is dedicated to her husband who died at sea.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/zTZf23k2V5">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/zTZf23k2V5</a>  Apart from the western tower topped by a spire very little is obviously medieval. 
Chiefly in the Decorated style, it now consists of chancel, nave, north aisle, south porch, south transept, ( a once private chapel) and a western tower, with spire
The 1509 carved oak pulpit <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Yf40918uCF">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Yf40918uCF</a> &amp; the painted carved oak eagle lectern <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/4X8157Wwa7">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/4X8157Wwa7</a> are said to have been the work of a celebrated wood-carver Thomas Prideaux, of Ashburton for the church there.  They were brought here in 1776 by Charles Powlett, Curate of Ashburton, on his presentation to the living of Bigbury by Harry, Duke of Bolton, the then Patron of the Living. 

A large slate monument on the wall of the south transept shows the incised figures of John Pearse 1612 &amp; wife Jane 1586 with a limerick like epitaph.   <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/7jQpf20A2u">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/7jQpf20A2u</a> &amp; unauthorised coat of arms

The 6 bells in the tower date from 1788.  They were re-hung on steel girders and frames in 1908, during the incumbency of the Rev. H. Bowden-Smith,  -  John Sparrow Wroth and B. J. Hooppell being the churchwardens.
One of the two windows in the north Aisle was given in memory of John Sparrow Wroth, and his son Walter who was killed in the Great War.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/79jorqDLPX">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/79jorqDLPX</a>  The other is to Ellen Sparrow Wroth wife of Dr. John Adams,  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Z0Uxn70920">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Z0Uxn70920</a>

Picture with thanks - copyright <a href="https://www.foslbigbury.co.uk/" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.foslbigbury.co.uk/</a>
bigbury devon