Coldridge Devon
Church of St Matthew, Coldridge Devon stands overlooking the village green on land inhabited from Stone age times
It was named Colrige in the 1086 Domesday Survey, which referred to the manufacture of charcoal here

Some late 12c / early 13c fabric survives in nave and chancel from an earlier building which was dedicated to St Mary.  (It was not until 1857 that references were made to the new  St Matthew dedication, changed for reasons which remain unknown). 
The first incumbent is recorded in 1270 

The rest of the present church is 15c / early 16c  however In Victorian times the building fell into disrepair and in 1877 work commenced with the restoration of the chancel followed by the rest in 1897.  Many original features were thankfully retained. 
It consists of nave and chancel under a continuous roof.  North and south aisles with eastern chapels  -   The south aisle Barton Chapel &amp; the later north Evans Chapel now used as the vestry with the organ hiding it from the chancel.   The priest's door into the chancel reminds us of a time when the authorities owned the chancel whilst the parishioners were responsible for the nave &amp; aisles. 

The 15c two stage west tower has 6 bells - there were 3 in 1553, however the earliest bell now is of 1726 date.  The metal clock was placed as a memorial to those who gave their lives in WW!  .  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/9cC5MA0t20">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/9cC5MA0t20</a>   On the north side is a semi-octagonal stair turret with tiny slit windows and topped by its own embattled higher parapet .   On the west side of the tower is 15c granite 2-centred arched doorway below a 19c three light window.   The south side includes an original small light to the ringing floor.
The 15c south porch pre 1855 had a flat roof until the present one gable was added.  All  in Perpendicular style   
The windows are all late 15c granite, 3-lights, arch-headed with Perpendicular tracery but all of different in sizes. 
There is an apparently 19c chimney shaft to right of porch, now redundant. 

Of particular interest is a very fine medieval rood screen, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/b5b80YAmat">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/b5b80YAmat</a> claimed to be one of the best unrestored &amp; unpainted screens in the Country, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/90BK5Sw978">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/90BK5Sw978</a> and also a pulpit with fine carving.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/t46Ekn3KT5">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/t46Ekn3KT5</a> Medieval bench ends are to be found in the church as well as Barnstaple floor tiles. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/chV596L5V0">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/chV596L5V0</a> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Y9w2Kb34d1">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Y9w2Kb34d1</a> 
One of the south aisle bench ends is carved with the head of John the Baptist on a platter <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Y46YM274s6">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/Y46YM274s6</a>

The splendid, ancient parclose screen in the chancel is of Breton design.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/e1QC61sY07">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/e1QC61sY07</a>  
The oak lectern is late 19c / early 20c but the front includes a panel of oak carved in the same style as the pulpit and screen. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/5r06Q8oJ2c">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/5r06Q8oJ2c</a>

On the reverse of the coving in the Barton Chapel one carving  shows the upside down head of a Tudor lady with an enormous tongue !   <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/13P63P53x9">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/13P63P53x9</a>

The granite font is late 12c / early 13c on a late 19c stone base. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/904qx34813">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/904qx34813</a> 

There are references to Sir John Evans who died in 1514 whose effigy lies on his tomb in the north Evans chapel which he built.. <a href="https://flic.kr/p/eCxq1Z" rel="noreferrer nofollow">flic.kr/p/eCxq1Z</a>  His shield bears the legend 'John Evas' (sic).  (underneath carved upside down is a word &quot;King&quot; (?) 
A capital  between the chancel and his chapel is inscribed &quot;Pray for Johhanes Evans&quot; <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/1L57qjr7t4">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/1L57qjr7t4</a>  Also surviving is his prayer desk with the words “Pray for John Evans, Parker of Coldridge, maker of this work in the third year of the reign of King Henry the Eighth”   Amongst the fittings, the screen and pulpit are thought to have been placed here by him.   He was park keeper of the deer park of Thomas Grey,  Marquess of Dorset , son of Elizabeth Woodville &amp; half brother to the princes in the tower.  His effigy faces a window of c 1511 showing the eldest prince King Edward V, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/8ttXcJL0Q3">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/8ttXcJL0Q3</a> also placed by him. 
At the moment there is much talk of John Evans being in fact this king who now is said to have disappeared from the tower and was sheltered by his half brother .  People point to the EV of Evans being for Edward V,  and that there is not evidence of why and how he was given the prestigious employment in the park &amp; control over the manor .  Others say he was probably born in Wales and came into England with Henry Tudor and perhaps fought for him at the Battle of Bosworth and as a loyal servant was rewarded. .....

The ancient communion vessels were stolen in 1867 by a local scrap dealer.  A reward of £12 was offered.  Two years later the dismembered silver was discovered when it was offered for sale in Exeter 
The registers date from 1556.

Picture with thanks - copyright Ian <a href="http://www.cornishchurches.com/Coldridge Church Devon - St. Mathew/index.htm" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.cornishchurches.com/Coldridge%20Church%20Devon%20-%20...</a>
coldridge church devon