Nominal: 815.5 Hz Weight: 1232 lbs Diameter: 40.5" Bell 1 of 6
Founded by Charles Pannell & Co 1855
Dove Bell ID: 199 Tower ID: 12237 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Arlington: St James
Diocese of Exeter
Church, 615476
This church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (verified 2024-11-14)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
Overview
Grid reference: SS 612 404
The church was probably founded by the Raleigh family in the 13th century, Rectors are recorded since 1258. The church was rebuilt in the late 15th or early 16th century, of which building the tower remains. The rest was rebuilt to match in 1844 by R D Gould, with a grant from the Incorporated Society for the enlargement, building, and repairing of churches and chapels. It appears the dedication was changed from St Peter at this time. The rebuilt parts match the Perpendicular style of the tower, the nave and slightly lower and narrower chancel under steep roofs with cross finials to the coped gable ends.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower, 4-bay nave, 2-bay chancel, south transept, north vestry.
Dimensions:
Nave 18m long, 6m wide, chancel 7m long.
Footprint of Church buildings: 271 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was probably founded by the Raleigh family in the 13th century, Rectors are recorded since 1258. Thomasine Raleigh married John Chichester in 1384, and the estate then passed to the latter dynasty. The church was rebuilt in the late 15th or early 16th century, of which building the tower remains. The rest was rebuilt to match in 1844 by R D Gould, with a grant from the Incorporated Society for the enlargement, building, and repairing of churches and chapels. It appears the dedication was changed from St Peter at this time.
Arlington Court is a Regency country house designed by the architect Thomas Lee about 1820 for Colonel John Chichester, and extended in 1865. It replaced earlier buildings. The house and estate was bequeathed to the National Trust by Miss Rosalie Chichester on her death in 1949, which is commemorated within the church.
There is no record of a full scale rebuilding of the tower in 1899 which was postulated in a Quinquennial of 1958 and by Pevsner. A gable scar over the tower arch suggests that complete rebuilding was not undertaken. Perhaps this was just a restoration. There were some works in 1914.
Exterior Description
The tower is of three stages, topped by an embattled parapet with crocketted pinnacles. Set-back buttresses with cusped niches to top stages. Stone quatrefoils built into the buttresses at the west end. Polygonal stair turret at north-west corner. Perpendicular 2-light bell-openings on each face with louvres and hoodmoulds. Trefoil-headed niches to middle stage on north and south sides. Pointed 3-light west window with hoodmould corbelled out from busts bearing sheilds. Straight-headed west doorway with quatrefoils to the spandrels, and moulded surround to the pointed doorway with engaged shafts. The hoodmould is carried as a string around the buttresses.
The rebuilt parts match the Perpendicular style of the tower, the nave and slightly lower and narrower chancel under steep roofs with cross finials to the coped gable ends. Pointed 3-light windows flank the south transept which has a niche above a 2-light window, in its turn over a doorway with moulded surround and head corbels to the hoodmould. Four pointed 3-light windows with intermediate buttresses to north side of nave. Two 2-light pointed windows to the chancel south wall, flanking a pointed priest's door. 4-light pointed east window with hoodmould. 2-light chancel window on north side. The gabled vestry has an east window of two trefoil-headed lights in a square frame.
The church is entered through a lobby uunder the tower with re-set monuments. There is a good stone vaulted ceiling to the tower. Arch-braced roofs to nave and chancel. A colony of Lesser Horseshoe bats roosts in the Court and possibly in the church. An earlier, very steep roof scar is visible above the tower arch, presumably that of the Medieval nave before the 1844 rebuild. The transept, previously a private chapel of the Chichesters, is taken up by the pipe organ.
Building Fabric and Features
Tower (component)
late 15th / early 16th century west tower present from rebuilding
Nave
19th century 4-bay nave. Part of rebuilding by Gould in 1844.
Chancel
19th century 2-bay chancel, part of rebuilding by Gould in 1844.
Transept
19th century south transept, part of 1844 rebuilding by Gould.
Vestry
19th century north vestry part of 1844 rebuilding by Gould
Building Materials
Limestone
19tt century coursed limestone rubble
Stone
19th century stone dressings
Slate
19th century slate roofs
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is quite plain and has an Ecclesiological feel. The nave is whitewashed and fully pewed with plain deal benches, stone flagged floor with areas of patterned tiling. The walls are lined with 18th-century fielded-panel wainscotting. The chancel has a tall moulded arch, the walls painted light blue and has a stone reredos and altar, plain double sedilia painted with attractice floral patterns, good choir stalls with poppyheads and a patterened black and white tiled floor by Powell's. There is an effigy in a recess in the north wall. The plaster has been cut away in places.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century Stone chest with shields to the front, whitewashed. Table used for services in the vestry.
Reredos
19th century Stone reredos with four inset panels with Decalogue and Creed under a tracery canopy, flanked by tracery niches, whitewashed.
Pulpit
19th century Tall timber wine-glass pulpit with blind tracery, access from vestry only via an arched doorway. A tester is mounted on the wall in the tower space.
Lectern
19th century brass, three legged
Font (component)
14th century Rather good octagonal stone font, said to have been introduced c 1850 by looks authentic 14th century, with carved panels to the bowl and stem. Conical ogee cover in 17th century style painted blue and gold, apparently incorporating old belfry timber, presented in 1914.
Stained Glass (window)
19th century East window in memory of Rev James Chichester (1884) and to each side of chanced to Major George Chichester (1876) on north and Robert Chichester (1883) on south. The iconography is of the Four Evangelists in the side windows, with Christ in Baptism, Resurrection, Ascension and Glory in the east window, angels in upper tier. Probably by Henry Holiday. Richly coloured Chichester coat of arms in the central light of the west window, the other lights replaced with plain glass after damage.
Organ (component)
19th century Pipe organ of 9 stops by Vowles, with handsome case and displayed pipes in blue and gold. A good instrument.
Bells
Nominal: 1351.5 Hz Diameter: 27.5" Bell 2 of 6
Founded by Charles Pannell & Co 1855
Dove Bell ID: 8742 Tower ID: 12237 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1240.5 Hz Diameter: 28.88" Bell 3 of 6
Founded by Charles Pannell & Co 1855
Dove Bell ID: 8743 Tower ID: 12237 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1094 Hz Diameter: 30.75" Bell 4 of 6
Founded by Charles Pannell & Co 1855
Dove Bell ID: 8744 Tower ID: 12237 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1013.5 Hz Diameter: 32.5" Bell 5 of 6
Founded by Charles Pannell & Co 1855
Dove Bell ID: 8745 Tower ID: 12237 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 911 Hz Diameter: 36.13" Bell 6 of 6
Founded by Charles Pannell & Co 1855
Dove Bell ID: 8746 Tower ID: 12237 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers dating from 1598
Churchyard
Grid reference: SS 612 404
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
The churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
Churchyard Structures
Chest Tomb
18th Century Chest tomb in brick and slate with angel figure blowing trumpet flanked by urns. Inscription to William Tamlyn who died in 1796, and to other members of the Tamyln family.
Gravestone
19th Century Headstone memorialising John Tamlyn (d.1816). Figure of angel blowing trumpet is set above the inscription.
Inscribed Stone
19th Century Footstone to the grave of John Tamlyn. Inscribed with a verse and carved urn to head.
Gravestone
18th Century Headstone memorialising Nicholas Parkin (d.1769).
Gravestone
19th Century Gravestone memorialising William Rawl (d.1821).
Gravestone
19th Century Gravestone memorialising Hugh Parkin (d.1802).
Gravestone
19th Century Gravestone memorialising Joseph Pyke (d.1812).
Altar Tomb
18th Century Gravestone memorialising Alice Parkin (d.1776).
Gravestone
18th Century Gravestone memorialising George Parkin (d.1772).
Gravestone
18th Century Gravestone memorialising John Giles (d.1724).
Chest Tomb
18th Century Chest tomb for members of the Crocombe family.
Chest Tomb
19th Century Chest tomb of Thomas Carder.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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