MDE20139 - Christ Church, Parracombe (Building)

The church was consecrated on 19 October 1878 after it had been decided that the original building, St. Petrocks (MDE7975), was beyond repair. It was built in Perpendicular style to the designs of WC Oliver of Barnstaple.

Christ Church, Parish Church. Consecrated 19 October 1878 after it had been decided that the original building (MDE7975) was beyond repair. Font dated 1170 brought from St. Petrock. [1] Parish church. Built on new site 1878 by W. Oliver, leaving the former parish church, St. Petrocks unrestored, on its old site away from the village. Snecked stone rubble with ashlar dressings. Slate roof with crested ridge tiles and apex crosses to the gable ends. West tower, nave chancel, north aisle and south porch. West tower of 3 stages. [2] Christ church, plate: 1) chalice dated 1661 with london mark. 2) silver chalice cover dated 1666. Cup missing. Bears mark of John Peard, silversmith of Barnstaple who died in 1680. 3) paten, dated 1719 with Exeter halmarks and mark of John Mortimer, goldsmith of Exeter. [3] The building was visited in September 2012 as part of the rapid condition survey of Exmoor's Listed Buildings 2012-13. It received a BAR score of 6. [6] Adjoining the village, but also like St. Petroc’s in an open position, is the Parish Church built in 1878 to the designs of WC Oliver of Barnstaple. It is built in Perpendicular style with a three stage west tower, of snecked stone rubble with ashlar dressings. The slate roof has crested ridge tiles. Pevsner praises the stained glass of W.F. Dixon which he describes as a “distinctively mannered pre-Raphaelite style” and is quite widespread in Devon. Other examples of his work are at Barnstaple, Shobrooke, Dawlish and Challacombe. [7] Built 1878 as the new parish church, as a replacment for St Petroc's Church (MDE7975). [8] This record was enhanced as part of the National Record of the Historic Environment to Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record data transfer project. [9] In comparison to the vernacular cottages, the late 19th Century church is on a substantial scale and hints at external control imposed on a remote community. [10]