St Michael's Church, Axmouth, Devon

A delightful village church, its earliest parts date back to the Norman times, although there are references to a Saxon church previously on the site. Much of its facade is Victorian but there are older remains, including a Norman door and three Mediaeval wall paintings.

The windows and Norman door are made from limestone, possibly from the Beer Quarry above the nearby village of Beer, and the West Chancel window dates from the late 15th century. The Tower has been placed in the perpendicular period of 1500, but one source states that an earlier date for the belfry windows could be as early as 1150.

Interestingly the Norman doorway, below, which is still used today as the main entry, is north facing. Legend has it that a north door is known as the 'Devil's Door', because the north is connected with the ungodly - including women in Mediaeval times, who had to sit in the north aisle. Several churches in this part of the country have a Devil's Door...which might have something to say about East Devon! ;)

This has got to be one of my favourite doors; with its Norman arch, inscription and lovely ornamental door brackets, it always reminds me of J R R Tolkein's illustration of the door to the mines of Moria in his book The Lord of the Rings.
 

And the west door, above.

Inside, two piers near to the Chancel bear two of the Mediaeval wall paintings. They are thought to depict St Peter (shown above and below) and Christ showing his wounds from the cross, but other sources think they could also be St Michael or the Virgin Mary. Both images are also included in the Chancel window. On the South wall there is another, barely visible, wall painting of a tortured bishop or martyr.

A set of three beautiful 19th century Arts & Crafts stained glass windows adorn the South aisle, depicting scenes of rural life; sheep tended by a shepherd, a farmer ploughing, various beasts, birds and wild flowers, together with corresponding texts from the bible.
 

And an attractively patterned window, below.

The chancel window, below, with the depictions of the wall paintings within the 'Y' tracery at the top. I'm sorry I couldn't get a close up of them; my telescopic lens isn't very good and I haven't got around to replacing it. Something to remind myself of.

And back outside again. Below, a cute little cinquefoil squint in the north wall. Next to that is a photo of the back of the village hall, adjoining the church grounds.

Apple trees, Cherry trees and benches in the front churchyard make a welcoming aspect to sit and enjoy, and just across the road is the equally ancient Harbour Inn. Just the thing for a village sunday morning...out of the church and into the pub! ;)