now & then -  Buckerell Devon
Now &amp; then showing the south entrance in existence in 1825, which has since been blocked up 
- Church of St Mary &amp; St Giles, Buckerell Devon 
Before 1066 the area had no distinctive name and up to +++ 1231 many names were in use.  As Old Owlescombe it was one of the manors of Ralph de Pomeroy whose descendant Henry Pomeroy sold it in 1198 to William, Lord Brewer, the founder of Dunkeswell Abbey, Torre Abbey and Polslow Priory,.    William and his heir, nephew William Brewer, Bishop of Exeter 1224 to 1244, both great church builders,  are said to have “appropriated the rectory and advowson to the Dean and Chapter of Canons of Exeter”,  and it is probable that it was at this time that the first stone cruciform church with a squat central tower was built. 
+++ After 1231 the name Bokerel came into being, probably at the time Andrew Bokerel was possibly a tenant of the de Pomeroy’s,
In 1258 Walter Bronscombe was elected Bishop of Exeter.   He appropriated the church of ‘Bockerel’ to his chapter and appointed 2 chaplains to administer the offices of the church. Each was paid 20 shillings a quarter and following the Bishop’s death in 1280 were required to say prayers for 
his soul.   By 1408 the cost of paying 2 chaplains appears to have been too great and only one was employed thereafter. Bishop Walter began the registers which remain the oldest still in existence in the diocese.
By 1330 the church was known to be in a bad condition and a visitation report in July says the &quot;chancel is ruinous in its gable and in the greater part, with the whole church and the bell turret, which stands for the greater part over the chancel, is also ruinous. A canopy is wanting over the high altar, all the books are badly bound,  some decayed and almost worn 
out. The vicar has to bear one shilling and threepence, the cost of maintaining the matins books and the Dean and Chapter two shillings and threepence. The parishioners say that the vicar bears himself very well in all the duties of the cure of souls”.
Between 1395 and 1419, during the episcopate of Bishop Stafford, many of the parish churches in Devon were rebuilt and it is probable that Buckerell was one of them.   There is a stone inscribed ‘Henrius Rex MCCCCIII’ and the credence in the chancel bears the same date.
There were no seats or benches at that time except in the chancel, and the stone floors were strewn with rushes upon which the people knelt to pray.   Later stools or small benches were provided for the women and  later still movable seats, then finally pews.   The box pews here survive from c 1550 <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/224n07ot2z">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/224n07ot2z</a> 

The present church consists of chancel, nave, north and south transepts, and three stage west tower.  It seats 140.. 
The  tower is a later edition and was built to replace an earlier bell turret, probably made of oak  which stood over the central crossing.   The bell tower and organ loft is now reached by an outside staircase near the west door.    In 1553 the number of bells was then three, two of which were cast in the village in 1410.   There are now six.

The nave has a plastered wagon roof with bosses of &quot;no particular merit&quot;.   
The dark oak rood screen separating the nave from the chancel was made elsewhere and fitted later.    In 1892 the Rev William Ford wrote in the register; “ The rood screen has been badly treated in the past – it was evidently brought here from some other church. I am thankful to be able to replace the mullions, may my successor be able to restore the screen more perfectly and to restore the cresting and place it in its proper position. 1st. September 1892, St. Giles day.”   A later entry reads “ The rood screen has this day been placed on the steps at the entrance to the chancel as the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have restored the chancel.” 

The present pulpit <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/86F1dR09a2">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/86F1dR09a2</a> was given by the rector, Rev Edward Ravenscroft in 1912.  It replaced a fine old pulpit from which 3 painted panels (of saints ?)  were incorporated into the new one.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/w1901nG27x">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/w1901nG27x</a>

The clock on the north side of the tower dating back at least to the 1750’s (maker unknown) has to be wound every 48 hours.   It is driven by weights and hemp ropes. Originally it was a one hand clock showing only the hours but was later converted.   In 2001 a light given in memory of Edward Summers who was a Churchwarden and Captain of bell ringers for many years., was placed in the churchyard to shine on the clock at night, 

The registers date: baptisms, 1650; marriages, 1654; burials, 1653.


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buckerell devon church