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Summary

The present church dates mainly to the 15th century and early 16th century, but with some 13th century work in the chancel and tower. The upper part of the tower, with its octagonal lantern, is late 15th century. The aisles were rebuilt in 1765 and 1816. It was restored following a fire in 1933. Fragments of a Saxon cross found within the fabric of the present building may have been from a churchyard cross associated with an earlier building on the site.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (I) 1306053: CHURCH OF ST ANDREW

Other References/Statuses

• Church of England HER: 4950
• National Monuments Record: SY29SW1
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SY29SW/8
• Old Listed Building Ref (I): 87923

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• PARISH CHURCH (Built, XIII to XIX - 1201 AD (Between) to 1900 AD (Between))

Full description

Loftus-Brock, E. P., 1883, The Peculiarities of the Ancient Churches of Devonshire, 27-34 (Article in Serial). SDV19516.

Reichel, O. J., 1898, The Domesday Churches of Devon, 287, 310 (Article in Serial). SDV863.

Cited as an example of a church in existence at the time of Domesday. The parochial chapel on the ancient crown lordship of Colyton was given by henry I to the Bishop and See of Exeter.

Jewers, A. J., 1901, The churches of Colyton and Shute and the pole monuments there, 714-721 (Article in Serial). SDV131425.

Whitley, H. M., 1910, Visitations of Devonshire Churches, 469-470 (Article in Serial). SDV167843.

Episcopal visitations were made in July 1301, and July 1330. Church fittings and furniture described at the time

Thompson, A. H., 1913, Church Architecture in Devon, 457,473,483,489,490,492 (Article in Serial). SDV15387.

Ditchfield, P. H., 1927, Report of the Congress at Exeter, 53-54 (Article in Serial). SDV35433.

A large and handsome building chiefly of the 15th century and early 16th century, but with some 13th century work in the chancel and tower. The upper part of the tower, with its octagonal lantern, is late 15th century. The aisles were rebuilt in 1765 and 1816. On the north side is the yonge chapel where members of this family were buried from 1584 to 1812. The church is built of Beer stone. The porch, in which there is an ancient gravestone with incised cross, is Norman.

Bannister, G. W., 1935, Proceedings at the seventy-fourth annual meeting held at Sidmouth from the 24th to the 28th of June, 1935, 18 (Article in Serial). SDV102171.

The church was restored after a fire in 1933.

Bannister, G. W., 1939, Proceedings of the Seventy-Eighth Annual Meeting Held at Honiton, 17-18 (Article in Serial). SDV124359.

There was a serious fire in 1933 which destroyed the roofs of the nave and south aisle. A portion of a Saxon cross has been found in the tower. The plan of the church, with a central tower, is considered unusual but there are other examples in east Devon such as Axminstere, Shute and Branscombe. A number of features in the church are described including a stone screen given by Thomas Brerewood, vicar of Colyton from 1524 to 1544, which is now in the south chapel.

Reichel, O. J., 1939, The Church and the Hundreds in Devon, 339 (Article in Serial). SDV15424.

Created by the king and endowed with property before 1086.

Hoskins, W. G., 1954, A New Survey of England: Devon, 374 (Monograph). SDV17562.

Department of Environment, 1984, Colyton, 78-79 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV131633.

Dixon, T. + Turton, S. D., 1994, Archaeological and Historical Appraisal of the Town of Colyton, East Devon, 5 (Report - Assessment). SDV131634.

Fisher, J., 1999, East Devon Conservation Area Appraisals: Colyton, 6, 12-13 (Report - non-specific). SDV346548.

The Parish Church of St Andrew is mostly 15th to early 16th century, although there is 13th century work in the chancel and tower. The octagonal lantern is late 15th century work. The Pole Chapel is full of monuments to the Pole family of Shute Barton and there are several monuments to the Courtenay and Younge families. Other details: Maps, photographs.

Turton, S. D., 2001, Archaeological Assessment of Proposed Extension to Choir Vestry Church of St Andrew, Colyton (Report - Assessment). SDV336245.

Little doubt that this was anciently a minster. The presence of fragments of a Saxon cross within the fabric of the present building adds weight to the notion that it was a churchyard cross associated with an earlier (perhaps wooden) church on this site.

Ordnance Survey, 2024, Mastermap 2024 (Cartographic). SDV365834.

Historic England, 2024, National Heritage List for England, 1306053 (National Heritage List for England). SDV365835.

Parish church. Mainly C15 and early C16 with circa 1200 work in lower parts of tower and chancel. Work of 1765 and 1816. Restored after a fire in 1933.
See listing description for full details.
Date first listed: 8th May 1967

Unknown, Unknown, The Parish Church of St Andrew, Colyton (Leaflet). SDV363245.

The present church is Norman in origin. Side chapels were added to the chancel in the 14th century and in the 15th century the nave was rebuilt and the west window installed. The nave and south aisle were heightened in the 18th century. The north aisle was rebuilt and enlarged in the 19th century. Much of the interior was gutted by a fire in 1933. Restoration work including new oak stalls in the choir designed by Herbert Read of Exeter. The Lady Chapel was subsequently restored in 1952. Notable memorials include the 16th century Pole tombs.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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