Bradninch Devon
Church of St Dionysius / St Disen, Bradninch Devon 
-According to legend St Disen / Dionysius  was a 7c Irish hermit who visiting this area, found no place of worship and so built the first church with his own hands.  Later he went to Germany where he established a monastery near Mainz dying in 674 aged over 80 .

The present church dates from the 13c and stands on the site of much earlier buildings. The first vicar mentioned is Arnold, Prothonotary to Richard, King of the Romans 1272, admitted July 10th 1261.  
 It now consists of a west tower housing 8 bells, nave, north and south aisles, south porch, chancel, north-west and north-east vestries.  It is mainly 15c / early 16c , with earlier masonry surviving in chancel, and possibly the base of the tower.
The four stage west tower with a belfry dates from 1437 when  a 2 year indulgence was granted for its rebuilding.  It has a  polygonal corner stair turret to the south-east <a href="https://flic.kr/p/7QN56k" rel="noreferrer nofollow">flic.kr/p/7QN56k</a>
The north aisle and transept were built in the reign of Henry VII [1485-1509].
On a corbel of one of the chancel windows is the figure of an angel with a shield, with the arms of the Precentor of Exeter, f Richard Norton, who held this office in 1512.

Stretching across the nave is a wooden screen dating from   c1450, which was originally painted in 1527 as inscribed in latin on the east side.   It was restored in 1843 and re-painted ten years later.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/mG5MXXuA1r">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/mG5MXXuA1r</a>
On twelve of the lower panels are paintings of Sybils,  Greek and Roman prophetesses who in Pagan times, predicted the coming of Christ.. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/iFseJD8x89">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/iFseJD8x89</a> On the central door and panels to the south are painted the Annunciation, the Salutation, the Temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden &amp; the expulsion of Adam &amp; Eve  from Paradise. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/244T7TXjKj">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/244T7TXjKj</a>  The screen is complete with groining and cornices; the cresting is modern. There are tilting shields in the tracery, and the pier casings retain ancient statuettes under canopies. 
The parclose to the south, which originally separated the Guild chapel of St Nicholas , has paintings of St Michael, St George and the Dragon, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/46As0i9E9J">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/46As0i9E9J</a> St Christopher &amp; the Christ Child <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/zjp6Q7364H">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/zjp6Q7364H</a> and St Francis of Assisi.   <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/o4AZ2g9Md1">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/o4AZ2g9Md1</a> This chapel was renovated as a war memorial in 1917 and dedicated to St George.   

There was also a (now demolished) chapel of the Trinity, its surviving piscina now having been reset in the north east vestry.  

The wooden altar table is c 1600.   The south aisle altar frontal incorporates 16c work.

The Resurrection window above the south Lady Chapel altar was designed by a local parishioner, Sarah Yeatman in memory of her parents <a href="https://flic.kr/p/7QRvqG" rel="noreferrer nofollow">flic.kr/p/7QRvqG</a>
A window in the south wall was donated by American Congressman George West in memory of his mother Jane West who is buried in the churchyard.  

The Royal Arms above the tower screen commemorate the visit of King Edward VIII in 1936 

All restored in 1806; 
Partially rebuilt in 1841 (nave and aisles heightened, piers reconstructed, south wall re-erected) followed by restorations by Hayward in 1881 &amp; 1889 refurbished with new stone pulpit    <a href="https://flic.kr/p/7QQoPb" rel="noreferrer nofollow">flic.kr/p/7QQoPb</a> ,  benches and choir stalls.  The stained glass is also all 19c 

The south porch was added in 1881 as a memorial of William Drew, of Kensham, the tower arch being opened and restored at the same time.
On the other side of the chancel is the organ first installed in  1842 in a gallery under the tower.  It was moved to the north side of the chancel in 1880 where it was rebuilt in 1889.

The 15c tower was partially rebuilt following a great storm in 1886. 

The registers date from 1559.

There are 8 war graves in the churchyard 

Picture with thanks - copyright Maigheach-gheal  CCL <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2858309" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2858309</a>
bradninch church devon