Weight: 1047 lbs Diameter: 38.5" Bell 1 of 6
Founded by William Warwick
Dove Bell ID: 7114 Tower ID: 12284 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Warkleigh w Satterleigh: St John
Diocese of Exeter
Church, 615513
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View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
Overview
Grid reference: SS 642 227
The first rector is recorded here in 1276. The C13th church has undergone some change with a south aisle added in early C15th, and a chancel before that. West tower added late C15th/early C16th. The chancel was rebuilt in 1850, and the nave roof renewed in 1867. There have been subsequent restorations and repairs. A ringing floor was inserted into the tower in the late 1970s.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower with vestry in base and ringing chamber inserted above. 3-bay nave with south aisle and south porch. Chancel.
Footprint of Church buildings: 243 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
A settlement was recorded at Warkleigh in the Domesday survey and there has been a church on the site since the C13th. It is said that ‘Warkleigh’ derives from ‘waeferce’ meaning spider and ‘leigh’ meaning clearing in the wood. The settlement was mentioned in the Domesday Book where it is referred to as Nymet.
Within 500 metres of the site a scattering of Neolithic/Bronze Age flints have been found. There was a medieval manor at Warkleigh Barton. Church Cottage to the west, dates from the late C16th/early C17th and was at one time the parish poor house.
There are burials on all sides of the church. Given the date of the church, although there is no visual evidence, there is potential for burials beneath the floor of the church which has been relaid. C13th fabric survives.
The church dates to the C13th and some fabric of that date survives within the north walls though they have been remodelled and enlarged. The first rector, Sir Thomas de Wylelonde, was recorded in 1276. The south aisle was added c.1420, after the chancel, and its original ceiling survives. The west tower was added in the late C15th/early C16th.
The chancel was rebuilt in 1850 by Thorold, a vicar of the time, and a south vestry demolished. The nave roof was subsequently renewed in 1864/7 and the pews replaced. A general restoration was undertaken in 1869. The tower and church were restored in 1883.
A vestry was inserted within the bell tower in 1965, and a screen to the bell tower above it added in 1977 when the ringing floor was introduced.
The QIR noted possible presence of bats.
Exterior Description
Tall three-stage battlemented west tower with crocketed corner pinnacles and angle buttresses with west door (almost round-headed) and 3-light Perpendicular window above with hoodmould with rams horn stops. Two-light louvred openings in bell stage above.
The short nave extending beyond the tower has two, 2-light windows in the north wall with hoodmoulds with headstops. A buttress-type form at the east corner of the nave is the remains of former rood loft stairs. The lower chancel is almost as long as the nave. It has a two-light and single square headed light in the north wall, and a blocked doorway between the two. The east elevation is pierced by a 3-light perpendicular window, and the gable above is surmounted by a stone cross. C18th and C19th slate tomb stones are fixed to the east and south walls. The south wall has two large 3-light windows (a faded sundial in the stonework between them – not seen), with a priest’s door-way between them, and another similar window in the east wall. There is also a 2-light window in the west elevation of the south aisle.
The gabled south porch, a later addition restored in 1869, has a barrel vault and wooden benches either side. Double gates cross the outer archway. C15th inner doorway and door.
Building Fabric and Features
Tower (component)
16th century west
Vestry
16th century in base of tower
Ringing Chamber
20th century inserted in 1970
Nave
13th century with roof repairs
Chancel
19th century rebuild
Aisle
15th century south
Building Materials
Stone
13th - 19th century unrendered rubble walls
Slate
19th century roof tiles
Clay
19th century ridge tiles
Plaster
15th century wagon roof
Interior
Interior Description
Access from the porch (up one step) opens into the south aisle (up one step). The first 3-bays of the south aisle open into the nave, with a 4th bay separating a chapel at the east end of the aisle, complete with altar, from the chancel. To the south of the altar is a small octagonal piscina built into the wall, and a priest’s door dropped by 2 steps. To the west of the entrance is the organ and font. The aisle is ceiled by a C15th plastered wagon vault with carved bosses.
The nave was reroofed in the C19th and has a wagon roof with applied ribs and bosses – also in the chancel. At the west end an area in the north-west corner is raised and is inlaid with ledger stones. Across the tower arch in the west wall is a carved screen, probably part of an early chancel screen, which partitions the base of the tower and conceals the vestry which is raised by 2 steps. There are another two steps up to the west door (rarely used) and a small door in the north-west corner leading to an internal spiral staircase. A crude glass and chipwood insertion above the carved screen encloses the ringing chamber inserted above in the late 1970s.
The nave arcade is formed of columns described as Pevsner type B – it has attached shafts and capitals to the main piers. The nave is lit by electrified Victorian glass and iron lamps. Electric heaters are also suspended alongside them. There are 3 stained glass windows, with the remainder of clear diamond leaded panes. A tiled floor runs along the central aisle with raised oak boarded pew platforms with fixed oak pews to either side. An alcove in the north wall is contained behind a metal gate (designed by Herbert Dyer, architect, 1974) and is the remains of the former rood loft stair, and latterly where the pyx was kept.
Through the wide chancel arch, the choir is raised by a step (ramp in place) with stalls on either side. The easternmost bay of the arcade, in the chancel, is broader, and is double in form with a cusped headed squint in the central section in the masonry creating a view into the aisle, down 1 step. The chancel has a blocked north door and single north and south chancel lights. The sanctuary is raised by two steps.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century Simple oak table - Victorian.
Pulpit
16th century Octagonal wood, with 2 fixed brass candelabras.
Font (component)
15th century White washed octagonal stone font with carved quatrefoil panels to the bowl, no cover.
Reredos
20th century Painted carved stone reredos in memory of Rev W Thorold d.1888 and Frances Elizabeth Thorold, d.1904. 4 central bays with open tracery filled with mosaic panels. Flanking bays against east wall to either side. Glazed terracotta tiles. Hidden inscription within the stonework between the reredos and window. C.1904
Pew (component)
19th century Raised oak boarded platforms with fixed oak pews with rectangular ends.
Stall
19th century Oak choir stalls on raised platforms.
Rail
19th century Oak altar rails with trefoil headed open traceried lights.
Organ (component)
19th century Original organ built on a west gallery in 1840. This a new organ in 1893 by J Walker (good work at this date) with brass plaque commemorating its gift in memory of Rev William Thorold d.1888. 2 manual. At west end of south aisle with pipes facing south aisle and console facing nave. The case is in light oak.
Plaque (component)
20th century War memorials.
Stained Glass (window)
19th century • East window - by Heaton, Butler and Bayne – Resurrection – Christ flanked by angels, inscription to John and Mary Mortimer, c.1892. • South aisle, east window by Heaton, Butler and Bayne –Ascension, Christ with Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, c.1897 to Preston and Emily Karslake recorded in plaque. • South aisle, south side – various scenes from the life of Christ and the Last Supper. Brass plaque fixed to bench below, in memory of James Gould d.1857 and his wife. Dr Moat suggested possible attribution to Alfred Beer of Exeter (1830-66) and as such of some significance for the development of C19th stained glass in the West Country. • Tower window – angels in upper lights of tracery.
Bells
Weight: 422 lbs Diameter: 27" Bell 2 of 6
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1929
Dove Bell ID: 44352 Tower ID: 12284 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 432 lbs Diameter: 27.63" Bell 3 of 6
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1901
Dove Bell ID: 44353 Tower ID: 12284 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 504 lbs Diameter: 29.63" Bell 4 of 6
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1901
Dove Bell ID: 44354 Tower ID: 12284 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 544 lbs Diameter: 30.25" Bell 5 of 6
Founded by John Stadler 1695
Dove Bell ID: 44355 Tower ID: 12284 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 651 lbs Diameter: 32.38" Bell 6 of 6
Founded by Robert Norton
Dove Bell ID: 44356 Tower ID: 12284 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers held at North Decon Records Office.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SS 642 227
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
The churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
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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