Bridestowe Devon
Church of St Bridget / St Bride, Bridestowe Devon is the last of 3 churches here -  the first was probably of wood sited to the west near the stream.  
The second, of stone, was nearby   - In 1830 Rev Luxmore wrote of it “The old church remained in the churchyard and was converted by the addition of chimneys into a poorhouse After 30 years of exertion to get the nuisance removed, I succeeded”.    He also reported having the arch, which divided the chancel from the body of the church, rebuilt at the principal entrance to the churchyard. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/2YmD1HnMdY">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/2YmD1HnMdY</a> 

The present church having some fragments of 13c Norman work, was rebuilt c1450 -  It consists of a chancel, nave of three bays, aisles, south porch and an embattled unbuttressed 3 stage western tower built of local stone -  the aisles, porch and chancel are of granite ashlar.   It seats 200.

it was much changed when the building &quot;suffered savage 19c restorations&quot; from c1820 judging from the comments of Rev Coryndon Luxmore who wrote  &quot;the church has undergone very considerable repairs within the last 10 years&quot;, the &quot;old windows were replaced by new about 4 years since&quot; and &quot;the tower lately has been raised many feet and is now 40&quot; high
with battlements and pinnacles upon it&quot;.  ( the tenor bell has the inscription “these bells re-hung and the tower heightened and beautified, 1828”)  There are 6 bells in total, all cast from a smaller peal, with additions in 1828
He describes the rood screen which was then in situ but was removed in 1869.  The base of the screen has been preserved but in very fragmentary form behind the pulpit , reusing the tracery in the panels. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/290wa6VMq0">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/290wa6VMq0</a>
The old rood stairs still exist now hidden behind wall boarding

The chancel was restored and the vestry added in 1866 sited against the north wall of the chancel. 
The church was further partially restored in 1890 at a cost of £620, by Fulford and Harvey of Exeter for Rev John Loveband Francis.  
New-roofed in 1893 &amp; the tower restored at a cost of £500, 
 In 1900 renovations were carried out to mullions and pinnacles and much internal plaster was removed, leaving the building as we see it today.  
The nave and aisle roofs are ceiled but probably have wagon roofs although not necessarily original. The chancel has a restored wagon roof.

Set into the floor of the chancel is a slate memorial slab to Thomas and Henry Burneford who died 1727 and 1757. with rhyming epitaph and carved skull and cross-bones below flanked by a winged angel's head.
In the chancel is a memorial to Honor Fortesque 1663, widow of Humphrey Prideaux of Soldon 1617  &amp; Sir Shilston Calmady   <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/1jDcK5nw2S">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/1jDcK5nw2S</a> 
Nearby is a heraldic memorial to John Wrey 1576 <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/U1VNH2dE7Z">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/U1VNH2dE7Z</a>

The register dates from the year 1696. 

There are six Table Tombs’ in the churchyard five of them being listed, and two 18c of brick .https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/7WuS9aE368

In the village is the Georgian mansion, Millaton House, the childhood home of Lord Carrington which served as a hospital run by American soldiers during the Second World War   
Also within the parish is an Elizabethan mansion Great Bidlake, the seat of the Bidlake family since 1268.  
There are disused mine-workings which once produced lead and copper.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnS3lDAOP3k" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnS3lDAOP3k</a>
Picture with thanks - copyright <a href="https://northmoorteam.org.uk/bridestowe-st-bridgets/" rel="noreferrer nofollow">northmoorteam.org.uk/bridestowe-st-bridgets/</a>
bridestowe church devon