A Grade II* listed building, the oldest part of this church is the thirteenth century tower. The original bells were mediaeval, but these have gradually been recast and added to, and there are now ten bells. The latest two of these were cast this century to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the carpet industry in the town, for which Axminster is world-famous.
Interestingly, during the 18th century, each newly made, hand-woven carpet would be paraded around the town, and the church bells rung to celebrate its completion.
As you can see, these photos were taken on a different day as I only had a few from the first visit, returning several years later to do it properly.
The only remaining Norman feature is this wonderful carved doorway. Originally in the south wall, it was reset into the east wall of the south chapel. Other parts of the church were added at different times; the chancel aisle circa 1480, the north aisle circa 1530, the south aisle in the 19th century - along with the clerestory windows - and the north aisle roof was replaced by a Mediaeval copy in 1903.
The main entrance is on the north side set in a porch, seen above and below. Often occuring in East Devon and West Dorset, a north door was known as the Devil's Door, which aren't usually used elsewhere. This might say something about us in the south-west, but was more likely a consequence of Victorian restoration. However, this one is dated to the late Mediaeval, so maybe it is about us after all! ;)
Decorative buttresses adorn the sides and front. Along the top of the porch and the north aisle is this rather lovely parapet, built with Ham Hill Stone and comprising delightful quatrefoils and gargoyles.
On the left side of the porch are exterior stairs leading up to the gallery above the entrance, seen here and also at the top of the page.
And the other side seen below. Intriguingly, there's also a protuding piece of the parapet and brickwork beneath that, indicative of space made for something inside. I don't know what that is but I'll definitely check it out if I can visit again.
The tower consists of an embattled parapet, bell windows with hood moulds and lozenge shaped clock. On the south-west corner is a polygonal stair shaft, with a weathercock and also with embattlements. Fabulous gargoyles sit on the other three corners of the tower above thin buttresses.
We'll be back outside again later but for now let's go inside.
I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised but it was a surprise to see the interior complete with a huge carpet, something I've never seen in a church before, apart from in front of the altar in many churches. An Axminster carpet, of course!
There are two 15th century four-bay arcades, the north one seen above, the other to the south, below. The capitals have foliate carvings on the south whereas the capitals on the north were replaced with carved angels in 1870. To the left of the photo is the west window, also seen below.
And the delightful carved angels below.
Looking towards the chancel and altar in the east, below. The east window is Early English containing four lights, and there are two-light windows either side to the north and south.
Also these lovely early 12th century sedilia on the south side of the chancel with piscina. Sedilia were ceremonial seats used by the officiants during services and the piscina is a niche which contained a basin of water for the priest to wash his hands before Mass. There are also two 13th century stone effigies in niches, the south side one seen below to the right of the sedilia.
The north effigy seen below. I don't know if other photographers do this, but I often have a favourite photograph of the day or visit. It might be because I'm a 35mm photographer and it isn't until the photos come back from the printers that one really stands out for me. Anyway, this was mine on this visit.
Other parts of interest include squints through crossing piers, one seen below.
A lovely carved timber screen, circa early 15th century, to the north chapel.
And a north aisle window below along with the organ. I've noticed that the icon pictures on stands have become quite popular in recent years.
Dated 1633, the pulpit was originally a three-decker with a sounding board above. Since cut down to just one set of steps, the remaining ornate carving is still a delight to see.
Also a carved chest in the same style as the pulpit.
And two more interior photos before we head outside again. The one on the left is of the south chapel I think and the right one of the chancel and choir.
The west door and facade showing the huge west window.
I don't know why I didn't get a photo of the window properly but I'll repeat the first photo at the top of the page to show how large it is.
And another door, which I have no idea where it was situated!
And finally...
On my second visit it was a thursday, when the town holds an outdoor street market. Some of the stalls are situated on the paths surrounding the church as well as the nearby market place and street. A wonderful tradition that has spanned for a very long time. The original charter was for a weekly cattle market started in 1210 with church grounds and monasteries being places of trading and other activities.
So there we have it! I'm sorry it's been a while since posting anything but I was working on a former website post about Couchill Woods, which just would not work! I tried everything, changing things around, cutting out the bad photos, making the article smaller and still ending up with a horrible mess, lol. So I've shelved that for now...possibly forever! ;)
Anyway, there's still plenty to do. I'm not sure what's coming up next but I have a few in draft at the moment so it depends which I finish first. So, I'll see you on the next one...hopefully not too long away, lol.
Cheers!
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