Charles Devon
Church of St John the Baptist, Charles Devon - The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age as attested by the large menhir stone nearby  - the name derives from 2 Cornish words 'Carn Lis', meaning 'Rocky Court, or Palace.'  It was thus the headquarters of a Celtic chieftain which survived the Saxon occupation. There is no trace of the 'palace', but tradition had it that St. Petrock, a Welsh missionary, came to Charles in the 6th century, after establishing a church at Parracombe.  He built, beside the ancient track-way from Barnstaple to North Molton, a wayside chantry in what is known as Walland Manor, and dug a well which still exists. 

When King Athelstan founded Pilton Priory c 925 A.D., the monks travelled from the pack horse trackway via Barnstaple and Goodleigh to Charles through Middlecote Farm and Hudley Mill, to conduct weekly services.   Each Saturday evening they would make the journey, staying overnight at the Priest's House, situated close to the present church. On Sunday they would hear Confessions, and say Mass, returning to Pilton the same day.   It is likely that the Prior and the monks of Pilton built the parish church dedicated to  St. John the Baptist, as the first mention of Charles as an ecclesiastical foundation recorded the Prior as patron. The priory probably retained the patronage until the 16c Reformation, but the chantry had earlier passed to the Raleigh family who were lords of the manor of Walland.

The present church standing next to a lone house on a narrow lane, was probably built soon after the Norman Conquest, 
The tower,  square and squat, of two principal stages with a short third stage capped by a battlemented parapet, dates from the Norman period, and the west light to the belfry may have been Norman until the tower was encased in 1624.  An ancient carved stone over the south door survives. 
The chancel is 15c 
There was a screen across the chancel until the building was restored in 1875, and in 1844 there was a gallery. 

The font is hard freestone, and was given by Philip Ridgate in 1727, its cover was given by the parishioners as a War Memorial in 1919.   
There are several memorials in the chancel. A brass plate marks the grave of John Blake who was rector for 45 years until his death in 1614.  There is a marble monument to the memory of the family of George Gregorie who died in 1719 at the age of 87 after 56 years as rector. 
On the south wall is a marble tablet to the memory of the Rev. John Blackmore and his wife Mary who were buried in the chancel 1842 / 3.   John Blackmore, a farmer's son, bought the advowson of the living in c 1780.  He served as curate for many years, lived at the 'Old Rectory' and farmed the Parsonage Farm adjoining.   Unfortunately for him the living did not fall vacant until 1840.   By this time he was rector of Combe Martin and Oare and, unable to undertake further responsibility, he appointed his second son Richard to the living.   When Richard Blackmore became rector he started a church school, and the Priest's House with the poor houses and a piece of land belonging to Mr. Parramore was conveyed to the Rector and Churchwardens as trustees for the building of the school room and a house for the head teacher.  
His elder son John remained curate of Ashford, near Barnstaple.   But John's son, Richard Doddridge Blackmore, often stayed with his grandfather and uncle Richard and it was here that he wrote much of his novel Lorna Doone based on the tragic killing of a bride at Chagford  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/x2643W2B07">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/x2643W2B07</a>

In 1925 local people subscribed for a new three lancet east window to commemorate the centenary of Mr. Blackmore's birth showing St. John the Baptist, Christ as the Good Shepherd and St. Petrock.  This was during the tenure of rector Parson Joyce and during his time many improvements were made to the interior and much of our knowledge of its history stems from his writings.   He was also responsible for the re-hanging and tuning of the bells, five of which were cast in 1733, and there is a tradition that a bell was brought from St. Petrock's chantry when it was demolished in the reign of Henry VIII which was later recast as the current treble bell. In 1937 ;  A tenor bell was also given to commemorate the coronation of King George VI, and also the launching of the S.S. Queen Mary.   At the same time a ringing chamber was formed, with a vestry below.

The small priest's house was, after the Reformation, re-named the Church House, a place where entertainment and other functions were held after benches and pews were introduced, making the church unsuitable for village activities. It was also the parson's residence, until the 1870's when the Rev. William Henry Vivian bought and made over to the living the farm and house now known as Grange Farm. The 'Old Rectory' was later built, and the rectors lived there until the property was sold in the time of Parson Joyce.

In recent times the population of the parish has dwindled with the lessening of agricultural employment.  By 1971 the congregation was so reduced that the Diocesan Pastoral Committee proposed that the church should be declared redundant and closed.   However, there was strong local opposition, and the enthusiasm of the congregation together with the greater flexibility of ministry made possible when Charles became one of the parishes of the South Molton Group in 1975, made it possible for the decision to be changed. 
An energetic programme of improvements was put in hand, carried out almost entirely by voluntary effort on the part of parishioners, especially the late Mr. Alan Holway, who planned the interior redecoration and undertook a large part of the work himself. The attractive interior is a tribute to the talents and generosity of local people, and the restoration work is still continuing: however the complete repainting of the tower, and the repair of interior woodwork are jobs which will require professional skills.

At Harvest a barbecue is held which is very popular and  special events such as concerts are held from time to time with singing, music, recitals, all by local talented people, and usually followed by a glass of wine.


Picture with thanks - copyright Janice Dennis <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2592906/st.john-the-baptist-churchyard" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2592906/st.john-the-baptist-c...</a>
charles church devon