Former Chapel At Fenacre Farm

1590/0/10014 11-FEB-02

BURLESCOMBE Former Chapel at Fenacre Farm

II

Disused private chapel; now outbuilding. Circa C15; altered circa late C18; extended C19. Stone rubble. Corrugated-iron roof with gabled ends. PLAN: Small single-cell chapel, aligned east-west; doorway towards west end of north side. Roof replaced circa late C18, probably when a floor was inserted and external stairs constructed to loft doorway on north side. Outshut built at east end in C19. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys [originally single storey]. North side has doorway on right with chamfered sandstone rounded arch and jambs and arched timber doorframe inside; external stone stairs to left of doorway to loft door. West end has blocked window in gable; south side, window at centre with relieving arch over; large round arch east window now enclosed within C19 outshut with double-Roman tile roof. INTERIOR: Walls have remains of plaster. Small square niches in north and south walls. The stone frame of the large east window is missing and the cill lowered. 3-bay roof with two lapped and pegged collar-trusses, halved, crossed and pegged at apex, common-rafters, thatching battens and remains of thatch. Inserted floor replaced C20. NOTE: Fenacre was occupied by the Lamprey family in the C12, before it was granted to Canonsleigh Abbey in 1177. The former chapel at Fenacre is a good example of a small private chapel of ease.