Church Of The Holy Ghost

ST1436 CROWCOMBE CP

16/52 Church of the Holy Ghost

22.5.69

GV I Incorrectly shown on OS aap as Holy Trinity Church. Parish Church. C14 tower, otherwise C15, North chapel added 1665, church restored late 1720s and again 1869-70. Red sandstone squared and coursed, random rubble tower, C19 slate roofs, decorative ridge tiles. 4 bay nave, chancel, 5 bay South aisle, South Porch, West tower, North aisle chapel with anteroom. 3 stage crenellated tower, diagonal buttresses, irregular shaped stair turret North East corner, 2-light bell openings with transoms, 3-light West window with reticulated tracery. South aisle crenellated with solid quatrefoil decoration in merlons, finials, gabled ends, set back buttresses, string course with gargoyles, all 3-light transomed windows except 4-light East end, 4 centred arch door inserted end bay right on facade. 2 storey gabled porch between first and second bays, crenellated returns, setback buttresses, finials, string course, 3-light window and crenellated stair turret South West corner. Stone fan vaulting in porch. Chancel 4-light East window, 3-light lancets on returns. North aisle chapel 3-light windows on East and North fronts under hood moulds, similar to private West entrance with Carew coat of arms above. There are a number of tablets to servants of the Carew and Bernard families at Crowcombe Court (qv). Interior: rendered. Tall standard Perpendicular arcade and piers with foliage band capitals. C19 open wagon roofs, ceiled in chancel. One of the best collection of bench ends in the county, early C16. Very fine late C14- early C15 octagonal font with sculptural panels. Screen and pulpit 1729 by Thomas Parker to replace those destroyed by fire; rare example of early C18 screen. North chapel, still property of the Lord of the Manor, set over family vault, C17 panelling, large colection of hatchments. "Sumptuous" South aisle (Pevsner) and excellent collection of fittings. (?evsner, Buildings of England, South and West Somerset, 1958; VCH, Vol 5 forthcoming; SANHS proceedings, p 61 1908 and p 84 1941 photographs in NMR).

Listing NGR: ST1407236712