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Summary

Restored cross standing on a large boulder in the churchyard extension. The shaft of the cross formerly stood in the garden of Churston Court but was presented to the church in 1939. It was set up in the church but was subsequently moved outside by the south porch. It was restored with a new head and arms in 2000 and set up in its current position.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1293065: CROSS SHAFT ADJOINING EAST WALL OF THE SOUTH PORCH OF CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX95NW/17/1
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX95NW7

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• CROSS (Medieval - 1066 AD (Between) to 1539 AD (Between))

Full description

Masson Phillips, E. N., 1937, The Ancient Stone Crosses of Devon: Part I, 319-320 (Article in Serial). SDV240502.

A cross-shaft stands in the centre of a flower bed in the walled garden southwest of Churston Court. It formerly stood in the garden north of the church, under the trees. Type b. It is a tapering granite shaft, octagonal in section, and lacks head and arms. At present it serves as a support for climbing plants. As burials formerly took place in the churchyard at Higher Brixham, the lane along which the dead were carried was known as the 'lichway'. Funerals used to make a circle round a pile of stones which stood in the road, supposed to have been the base of a cross. The custom was abandoned when the road was altered. The cross (ie he shaft now at Churston Court) presumably once stood at the fork of the road above the church.

Masson Phillips, E., 1954, Supplementary Notes on the Ancient Stone Crosses of Devon (Fourth Paper), 176 (Article in Serial). SDV15725.

The cross-shaft has now been erected inside the parish church at the west end of the south aisle. It has cushion stops at its base. In all probability it originally stood at the triangle where the old road to Brixham joins up with Churston Ferrers avenue. It was subsequently found built into an old farmhouse at Churston Court and was set up in the grounds until 1939, when it was presented to the church.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, 1955, SX95NW7 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV316325.

The shaft of a medieval stone cross which stood in the walled garden at Churston Court was removed to the churchyard in 1939. The cross is thought to have originally stood on the triangle where the old road to Brixham joins Churston Road and to have been thrown down at the time of the Commonwealth. It was found, when the old farmhouse was demolished, supporting a staircase and then stood for many years in the grounds of Churston Court before being being presented to the church. The shaft is 8ft 7.5in high with cushion stops at the base (citing Masson Phillips; V. Burns).

Watson, A., 2007-2017?, Devon Crosses, 102 (Vol 1), Photos (111) (Un-published). SDV360833.

A cross, restored in 2000, stands on a large boulder in the churchyard extension. Comprises a tapering granite shaft, octagonal in section with cushion stops at the base, with a new head and arms. The shaft formerly stood in the grounds of Churston Court until presented to the church by Lord Churston in 1939. It then stood at the west end of the south aisle with a plaque stating that it probably originally stood where the old road to Brixham joins with Churston Ferrers Avenue.
Cross height: 128 inches, span 28 inches. Base 13 inches by 10 inches.
Shaft height: before restoration 99 inches.

Noakes, R., 2014-2020, Devon Crosses, 2000840 (Ground Photograph). SDV366467.

Photo of the restored cross in its new position in the churchyard extension.

Historic England, 2018, National Heritage List for England, 1293065 (National Heritage List for England). SDV360653.

Cross shaft adjoining east wall of the south porch of Church of St Mary the Virgin.
Cross shaft. Late medieval. Granite. Tapered octagonal shaft with convex stops at the base. Notice in church porch says 'It is thought to have stood on the triangle where the old Brixham Road meets Churston Avenue. For many years the shaft supported a staircase in a farm'. Presented to the church by Lord Churston in 1939.
Date first listed: 18th October 1993

Sources / Further Reading

SDV15725	Article in Serial: Masson Phillips, E.. 1954. Supplementary Notes on the Ancient Stone Crosses of Devon (Fourth Paper). Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 86. A5 Hardback. 176.
SDV240502	Article in Serial: Masson Phillips, E. N.. 1937. The Ancient Stone Crosses of Devon: Part I. Transactions of the Devonshire Association. 69. A5 Hardback. 319-320.
SDV316325	Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card: Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division. 1955. SX95NW7. OSAD Card. Card Index + Digital.
SDV360653	National Heritage List for England: Historic England. 2018. National Heritage List for England. Historic Houses Register. Digital. 1293065.
SDV360833	Un-published: Watson, A.. 2007-2017?. Devon Crosses. Mixed Archive Material + Digital. 102 (Vol 1), Photos (111).
SDV366467	Ground Photograph: Noakes, R.. 2014-2020. Devon Crosses. Digital. 2000840. [Mapped feature: #58793 ]
	Linked images:31

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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