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Bondleigh

from

Some Old Devon Churches

By J. Stabb

London: Simpkin et al (1908-16)

Page 23

Transcribed and edited by Dr Roger Peters

Full text available at

https://www.wissensdrang.com/dstabb.htm

Prepared by Michael Steer

Between 1908 and 1916, John Stabb, an ecclesiologist and photographer who lived in Torquay, published three volumes of Some Old Devon Churches and one of Devon Church Antiquities. A projected second volume of the latter, regarded by Stabb himself as a complement to the former, did not materialize because of his untimely death on August 2nd 1917, aged 52. Collectively, Stabb's four volumes present descriptions of 261 Devon churches and their antiquities.

BONDLEIGH. St. James. This is a most interesting little church [plate 23a]. Over the porch is a sundial, dated 1706, with the inscription:-

Sensum sini Sensu
Anno Dom 1706

"Dial's the name that all men call me by
I measure time and time sweeps all away."

The south doorway is Norman and on the tympanum is a sculpture of the Agnus Dei between two birds [plate 23b]. The church consists of chancel, nave, north aisle, south porch, and west tower with four bells. On the south side is a piscina with drain and a priest's door. On the north side, under an arch, is an effigy [plate 23c], probably that of a priest, as the figure wears a surplice and pointed chasuble, the head rests on a cushion supported by angels, these are much mutilated, the feet rest on an animal in too bad a state of wear to identify. There are some old bosses in the north aisle and carved wall plates. There is a three-light window at the east end, and two single-light windows on the south side, the westernmost containing small remains of ancient glass. The nave is separated from the aisle by three arches resting on granite columns. The bowl of the Norman font rests on a central and four smaller shafts [plate 23d], the four smaller shafts are of later date.

The belfry screen contains some portions of the old chancel screen. At the east end of the aisle, built into the wall, are some remains of Norman work [plate 23e] apparently the capitals of two pillars, they are in a remarkably good state of preservation.

There are two windows on the south side of the nave, one containing some old glass representing the Annunciation. The belfry arch is of more than ordinary height. On the north wall are two memorial tablets, one:- In Memory of James Marshall son of William Marshall Rector of this Parish, and of Mary his wife who died December the 9th 1752 aged 17? years and also of William Marshall, his brother (clerk) who died May 25th 1758, aged 26. and also of William Marshall, Rector of this Parish who died Dec 29, 1775, aged 73. Also Grace the wife of William Marshall who died Feb. 9th 1781, aged 79.

The other is a slate tablet enclosed in wood and bears the follow inscription:- Sacred to the Memory of Mary wife of Joseph Goss of this Parish who from her husband and eight dear children was in the prime of a virtuous well spent life summoned to meet her God that gave her existence, Feb. 6th 1798. Aged 37 years.

"Beneath this table rests the mortal part
Of her who once delighted every heart
How good she was and what her virtues were
Her Guardian angel can alone declare
The Friend that now this little tribute pays
Too exquisitely feels to speak her praise
Yet would'st thou know ye pious life she spent
How many from her hands received content
How many Breasts that poverty had chilled
Her charity with Peace, with rapture filled
The village nigh shall gratify thy ears
And tell thee some with words but most with tears."

[And:-] Also to the Memory of Mary Ann Daughter of ye said Joseph and Mary Goss who at ye period of 15 years of Her age was summoned to meet her God that gave her existance, April 9th 1798.

"Like Birds of Prey, Death snatch'd away
This tender Harmless Dove
Whose soul's so pure and now secure
We hope in Heaven above."

On the south wall is a slate tablet in wooden frame with the inscription:- "Here under Lyeth The Bodie of John Paddon of this Parish of Bundleigh who was buried ye 22nd day of January, 1700 in the Seventyth Year of His age." On each side of the chancel windows are two niches with canopies. The images have been removed and the canopies mutilated. There are some old carved bench-ends of no particular interest. The west door has four openings for two bars, one at the top the other at the bottom.

The registers date: baptisms, 1813; marriages, 1754; burials, 1813.