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1908 Postcard showing the screen before the new pews were fitted. |
St. Petrock's Parish Church, Lydford This text is from an anonynous information sheet provided by the church for visitors to use. Further details about the church and village are given in the guide book for sale on the church bookstall A small timber church probably stood on the site, built about 650AD. It was dedicated in honour of St. Petroc, a Celtic missionary who came from Wales or Ireland and landed at Padstow (Petrocstowe) in Cornwall in the 6th century He brought the Gospel to many parts of Devon and Cornwall and over 30 churches in the west country are dedicated to him. The timber church was probably burnt down by the Danish Raiders in 997. At the time Lydford was an important burgh, being one of the most westerly fortified towns of the Kingdom of Wessex under Alfred the Great. He made it equal in status with Exeter, Barnstaple and Totnes. Ethelred established a mint at Lydford and coins taken by the Danes are in Stokholm Museum. The church was rebuilt in Norman times and a fort was built on the Saxon earthworks to the west of the churchyard. This was replaced by a castle built on the north side in 1195. The earliest mention of the church is in 1287 when Henry III granted the tithes of Dartmore to the church of St. Petroc. The only remains of this early church is the Font, which may be Saxon or early Norman. It is made of Hurdwick stone. Some of the granite floor stones of this period may be seen at the inner entrance to the porch and in the window splays in the south aisle. With increasing population and wealth (due to tin mining) the church was enlarged in the 13th century and re-dedicated on 3rd August 1261 by Bishop Walter Bronescombe. The building was extended westwards from the first pair of pillars to the tower. The tower itself and the south aisle were added in the 15th century. An altar was placed at the east end of this new aisle and the piscina can be seen in the south wall. A 'squint', or hagioscope pierces the chancel wall to give a view of the main altar from the aisle. The rood staircase leading to the top of the screen probably existed before the 13th century enlargement. The church was again enlarged in 1890 when the north aisle and the vestry were added. A new oak roof, reproducing the ancient barrel roof was constructed, re-using some of the old ribs and bosses. The screen, completed in 1904, was designed by Bligh Bond and carved by the Misses Pinwell of Ermington. The carved oak clergy seats and choir stalls were erected in 1908. The pulpit and the brass eagle lectern were given by the Rev. Chafy-Chafy in 1875. The pews with their fine carved bench-ends were the conception of the Rev. George Thorpe, Rector 1902-1950, and the figures represent the Prophets, Martyrs and Saints of the Holy Church. This theme was based on the Te Deum. The border ornamentation was based on the Benedicite: All the works of the Lord. As far as possible the flora and fauna of the West Country were taken as examples. The carving was done between 1923 and 1926 by Herbert Read of Exeter. Outside the porch on the bank is the Watchmaker's Tomb that bore the unique epitaph describing George Routleigh as if he were a clock himself. (The carving has been moved inside the church to prevent further damage from the elements and is mounted on the north wall opposite the entrance.) |
