|
|
 |
|
|
Although some of the present building is 15th - 16th century, there is evidence of alterations or rebuilding since Norman times
|
|
|
|
1. ENTRANCE by the SOUTH PORCH
 The South doorway is the first feature that one sees and possibly the oldest, being part of an earlier building of late Norman date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
2. THE FONT.
 At the foot of the pillar opposite the South Door stands the Font, which also came from an earlier building but bears no indication of its date. Its unsymmetrical external shape suggests that it once stood against a wall either in this building or in an earlier one.
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
3. THE ARCADE BETWEEN THE NAVE AND NORTH AISLE
The square pillars supporting the arches, are set square to the E W line, contrary to the usual diagonal position.
|
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
4. CHOIR VESTRY
The Bassett Chapel at the East end of the North Aisle is now used as a Choir Vestry. It contains four interesting memorials.
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
|
5. RECTORS
There is a framed list on the pillar opposite the font.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
6. THE NORTH AISLE
 The north aisle was added to widen the building - a date stone on the exterior east wall suggests this was done in 1675.
|
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
7. THE SOUTH WALL
The South Wall was moved inwards several feet in the 19th century to save the cost of replacing the rotting roof timber, resulting in an eccentricity in the barrel ceiling. It is probable that at the time wooden windows were replaced by stone ones.
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
|
8. THE VESTRY
The Vestry bears the date of its restoration in the plaster - 1704.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
9. THE SCREEN.
THE SCREEN originates from the 13th century and still contains some of its original features. On each upright there are carved angels bearing shields, some of these are old and some restored. In 1897 the screen underwent extensive restoration and again in 2000 further restoration work was undertaken. During this second period of restoration most of the plinth had to be renewed due to the damage done by death watch beetle. On 1st. March 2000, under the supervision of screen expert Hugh Harrison, the screen, encased in a framework and mounted on rollers, was pushed back to what is believed to have been its original position.
 
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
10. THE CHANCEL.
The Chancel formerly hidden by the screen is now an integral part of the main worshipping area.
At the same time as the screen was moved the floor was raised in wood some five inches so giving a large open plan area for more flexible use.
To facilitate this, the choir stands and seats are portable, the communion rails demountable and the heavy oak communion table fitted with wheels.
A ramp has been built into the raised platform so that wheelchair users have easy access to the communion table.
The pulpit was moved from under the window on the South side and the lectern placed in the new prayer chapel.
The building work was carried out by Loosemores of Barstaple.
The Frontal of the communion table and the Pulpit Fall are the work of members of the congregation.
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
11. THE PRAYER CHAPEL (formally the Sanctuary).
 The Prayer Chapel is a quiet space for private prayer and for services with a very small congregation
|
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
12. THE RESURRECTION TOMB.
 St. Augustine's historical treasure can be found on the North wall of the Prayer Chapel. The tomb was reputed to be that of Richard Coffin, Sheriff of Devon in 1493. Canopied and bearing the initials R.C., a demi-angel holds a shield bearing the Coffin Arms. The tomb was opened in 1889 and found to be empty. It is believed that Richard Coffin is buried with his wife Jaquet in a vault nearby. It is possible that this tomb was once used as an Easter Sepulchre.
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
13. MUSIC IN CHURCH
In 1954, the harmonium was replaced by the present organ. Installed in memory of the Rector, Rev. Arthur Desmond Shaw.
Before the introduction of a harmonium in 1868, worship was led by a choir of about twelve boys and girls with an adult leader, accompanied by a small band of a fiddle, clarinet and trombone. The band sat in the gallery at the West end of the church, concealed by curtains until the hymn was announced.
Today, in addition to the organ, groups of instruments are used, including a keyboard, guitars, cello, flute, recorders and percussion.
|
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
14. THE TOWER.
 Heanton has six bells cast in 1829 in Bideford. The treble was recast in 1891.
A chair at the Rectors desk was made from old beams when the bells were rehung in 1908.
All the bells were retuned and rehung in 1971.
During renovation work in 2000, a floor was built in the tower to enable the bell ringers to ring from a platform, as they had done up to the end of the l9th century.
In the chamber at the base of the tower hangs a board of bequests made at the beginning of the 18th century.
In the church, adjacent to the tower there are two plaques as a memorial to work carried out by R.A.F. Chivenor.
|
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
15 JACOBEAN PANEL - probably one of the oldest pieces of wood in the church. Until recent alterations it was on the South wall and formed part of the pulpit. Now the pulpit has been made smaller, the panel was too big to be part of it and so has been mounted on the wall of the tower.
|
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
|
16. IN THE CHURCHYARD a large section is given over to Commonwealth War Graves - due to the proximity of R.A.F. Chivenor. A detailed plan of the churchyard and graves can be found hanging in the South Porch.
The Postman Poet, Edward Capern, is buried here. The bell which he used to carry on his delivery round is inset in the gravestone.
|
|
|
|
Back to Top
|
|
|
