This is just a short post, which is more or less the same as the one I had on my late website article, with just a few more photos and a bit more architectural information.
I only had a short amount of time until my bus was due when I took these photos, and was unable to take up the opportunity of an open door. Unfortunately the door has been locked on subsequent visits, but I will add some interior shots as soon as they're available. We live in hope, lol.
However, it is an interesting Grade II* Listed church in a lovely setting.
St Luke's Church was built in 1331, originally founded as a chantry by Edward III around 1330, and was said to have been built on the site of an ancient (possibly Saxon) chapel. The tower is all that remains of the original 14th century building, and is most unusual with its semi-hexagonal stair turret projecting out from the square tower behind. Built with local stone rubble and sandstone, the quoins and details are of Beerstone. Rebuilt in 1875, the work is also with local stone and Beerstone. The roof is laid with delightful red tiles with bands of scallop-shaped tiles.
These two photos above were taken at the West side of the tower, where the entrance now is after the extensive rebuild of 1875. At that time the nave and chancel were rebuilt beneath a continuous roof. A full-length south aisle was also placed beneath a parallel roof of the same height, at which time the new entrance was made.
And below, from the rear.
Showing the use of large pebbles in the flint rubble wall, they can also be seen in the Pebble Buildings page coming up in the next blog post. Popple is an old Devon word for pebble and the original meaning of Newton Poppleford is 'new town built by a pebble stream'.
Interestingly, one of the earliest written records is the granting of a Royal Charter in 1252, to allow a three-day fair at St Luke’s-tide on the 18th of October.
And a final look at the outside as seen from the road.
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