Chudleigh, St Martin and St Mary
In 1080 Bishop Osborne built his palace at Chudleigh, and fragmentary remains are still to be seen. The current church replaced an earlier Saxon one, and was dedicated by Bishop Branscombe in 1259. Over the centuries the building was expanded, and was extensively restored in the 1840s and 1870s.
In his will dated 1368, Bishop Grandisson bequeathed to the parish church “two large BELLS of my chapel at Chudleigh” (in the palace). Over the centuries additional bells were added culminating in six from 1923.
Among the many features of note are the 15th century Rood Screen with an unusual depiction of Apostles and Prophets and the memorial to Sir Piers Courtenay (d.1552) who started our long association with the Clifford family of Ugbrooke Park. There are many other features of interest, mainly from the Victorian period. These include a Green Man (or is he?), and some fine windows and memorials.
In the church is information about all these features, a stained glass window trail, and indexes of all memorials and graves. We look forward to welcoming you to our church.
