Cheriton Bishop, Devon
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Cheriton Bishop Devon
The dedication was to St Michael before the 16c Reformation. 

Of Norman origin, the present church has a lower &amp; narrower 13c chancel than the 15c nave, north aisle with east chapel under a separate roof; large unrestored three stage granite tower holds 6 bells, &amp; south porch &amp; 19c small porch to the chancel.  At end of the nave externally 19c masonry encloses a turret for the rood stair. 
The south wall (which slopes outwardly at the top) and the porch were rebuilt in 1884 when the interior was renovated and refurbished 
The nave &amp; north aisle are under ceiled wagon roofs ; original in the chancel with carved oak bosses and moulded wall plate with 4-leaf motifs at intervals:  The aisle retains some original carpentry but the nave appears to have mostly 19c renovation-work.   The 5-bay granite arcade to the north aisle (fifth arch between chancel and north chapel) rests on moulded piers 
with undecorated capitals. 
The carpet hides a flagged floor with several inscribed 17c gravestones. 
The partly restored 16c oak pulpit with octagonal drum on a stem has 5 panelled sides with elaborate carvings including birds, grotesque heads, a mermaid and harpy.   Behind can be seen the blocked rood loft stairs under a granite arch on the south wall <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/zQuqsp5c7v">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/zQuqsp5c7v</a>
The north aisle has fragments of 15c stained glass &amp;  isolated patches of mural painting.
Three bays of the late 15c eight bay oak rood screen have been reset as a parclose around the north chapel   Although partly restored it is of very high quality with delicate carving and includes 12 original painted figure panels in blind tracery. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/p8U09556t9">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/p8U09556t9</a> 
Another painted fragment of the screen is mounted on south wall. 
The late 11c Beerstone font is a profusely decorated girdled tub on a circular base now set upon a 20c granite plinth. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/604Q91t382">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/604Q91t382</a> 
There are eight 15c oak benches in the north aisle with carved ends showing 2 tiers of recessed trefoil-headed panels with crenellated rail between.   The interior was renovated and refurbished in 1884 - the oak choirstalls with carved ends and wrought ironwork are both by local craftsmen.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/py27o33t4i">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/py27o33t4i</a>
In the centre of the chancel floor is a tombstone of Andrew Davie d1669. and at east end of south wall is late 17c marble monument to more of the family with Corinthian columns  under arms and flanking cartouches . Behind the north chapel screen and divided from the chancel by an arch is the monument of Joan d 1680 wife of Lawrence Davy and Mary Davy d 1695 wife of John Davy  .They lived at Medland a fine mansion which no longer exists

On the north wall of the chancel is a brass memorial to missionary R L Pennell MA, Fellow of St Nicolas College, who died at Zanzibar in 1872
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/4H8K42Dt2e">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/4H8K42Dt2e</a>

Over the south door is the rare Royal Arms of Elizabeth I and those of George II dated 1735 in north aisle. 
Fragments of Nottingham alabaster, found during the 1884  renovation work, are mounted on the south wall;  showing the head of Christ carrying the Cross, 2 soldiers and another head, possibly Simon of Cyrene. 
In north aisle is a lead plaque is inscribed 'Richard Dicker, James Lob, Wardins, 1704'. 
The registers date from 1538.

Picture with thanks - copyright AJD CCL <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6857000" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6857000</a>
cheriton bishop cheritonbishop church devon