Cheriton Fitzpaine Devon
Church of St Matthew. Cheriton Fitzpaine Devon dates from about the 14c dedicated to All Souls, later to St Mary until at least 1893
The village name comes from the old English cirice+tun meaning &quot;village with a church&quot;  In the 1086 Domesday Survey ts is Cerintona &amp; later Chiriton Pagan in 1256 being held at that time  by  Roger, son of Pagan in 1256.   Later Fitzpaine was added when Fitzpaynes were lord of the manor 

The present church consists of a 14c nave and chancel, 15c aisles, two storey porch and two stage tower with a clock by Smiths of Derby, and 6 bells, dated  1770, 1767, 1727 and 1665, the latter being cast by John Pennington of Exeter 

Most of the tower is roughcast and has been so since 1706 according to the churchwarden's account.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/azxH71Ti3W">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/azxH71Ti3W</a>  It has original volcanic two-light belfry windows with cinquefoil heads except the west side which has round heads.   Also on the west side is an original Beer stone arched doorway below a three-light Perpendicular window with replacement Beer stone tracery under an arched hoodmould.   On the south side a projecting demi-hexagonal stair turret finishes below belfry level with a pyramidal roof.

The two storey porch with low-pitch stepped gable and embattled side parapets. has a small and ornate Beer stone niche with a statue of St Matthew a gift in 1885 from Rev. George Dowty.  On the gable a very large lead sundial with iron arm, apparently erected in 1720 and remodelled in 1741. 

The nave and chancel with full length aisles and eastern chapels under 16c parallel wagon roofs which have carved bosses, those in the chancel and nave are gilt, <a href="https://devonchurchland.co.uk/galleries/cheriton-fitzpaine-church-of-st-matthew-gallery/#gallery/2647f29f5cf88a567dc880a54c49ebd8/3282" rel="noreferrer nofollow">devonchurchland.co.uk/galleries/cheriton-fitzpaine-church...</a>   Also very high quality 15c ceiled wagon roof with moulded ribs enriched with four-leaf decoration and carved oak bosses in north aisle and chapel.<a href="https://devonchurchland.co.uk/galleries/cheriton-fitzpaine-church-of-st-matthew-gallery/#gallery/2647f29f5cf88a567dc880a54c49ebd8/3286" rel="noreferrer nofollow">devonchurchland.co.uk/galleries/cheriton-fitzpaine-church...</a>  - however the bosses were removed from the south aisle roof
On the capitals in the chancel are angels bearing shields <a href="https://devonchurchland.co.uk/galleries/cheriton-fitzpaine-church-of-st-matthew-gallery/#gallery/2647f29f5cf88a567dc880a54c49ebd8/3257" rel="noreferrer nofollow">devonchurchland.co.uk/galleries/cheriton-fitzpaine-church...</a>https://devonchurchland.co.uk/galleries/cheriton-fitzpaine-church-of-st-matthew-gallery/#gallery/2647f29f5cf88a567dc880a54c49ebd8/3259  <a href="https://devonchurchland.co.uk/galleries/cheriton-fitzpaine-church-of-st-matthew-gallery/#gallery/2647f29f5cf88a567dc880a54c49ebd8/3277" rel="noreferrer nofollow">devonchurchland.co.uk/galleries/cheriton-fitzpaine-church...</a>

Over south door painted arms of Charles II dated 1665 was naively restored in 1971. 
There are two 16c / 17c oak chests, one crudely inscribed RM 1611.

All restored between 1883-5 by James Crocker of Exeter when the nave &amp; aisles roofs were renewed , galleries removed, the stone reredos enlarged,,  pulpit reconstructed, Maws encaustic tiles to the chancel  &amp; other furnishings including stained glass , altar rail &amp; pews which reused 18c oak

The registers date: baptisms, 1660; marriages, 1663; burials, 1662.
cheriton fitzpaine cheritonfitzpaine church devon