Eggesford Church ([1842])

Spreat, William. Picturesque sketches of the churches of Devon. Exeter: W. Spreat, 1842.56. Eggesford. This is one of those unpretending structures, having no claim to beauty in itself, but rendered highly picteresque [sic] and pleasing from the situation in which it stands, and the objects which are seen in connection with it. It is situated in the park of the same name, surrounded by a luxuriant growth of venerable timber, where elm, oak, cedar, and other trees of the forest unite in forming one of those spots which are the pride of our Country. The tower of the building which contains three bells, is square and low, the Church itself is very small, the interior having but one small row of pews on each side with a passage up the centre from the west entrance to the altar, and a small north aisle which is an addition to the original structure, and which forms the seat for the family of the Hon. Newton Fellowes, whose arms appear in stained glass in the window above: the family arms are to be seen also in one of the south windows. In the centre compartment of a window in the north wall is a figure of our Lord in stained glass, and in the eastern window one of the Virgin Mary. Near the Altar is a very handsome marble font, given to the Church by the Hon. Newton Fellowes on the occasion of the baptism of his first daughter, the basin is of an elegant form supported on a shaft which increases in size from the bottom upwards, and having an appropriate capital and base. In the chancel is a tablet to the memory of the Rev. John Churchill, B. D. Rector of this parish, and of Chawleigh, 1818, and on the south wall of the nave is a neat marble tablet, to the memory of Henry Arthur Fellowes, Esq. of Eggesford, 1792, surmounted by an urn, and havng [sic] underneath a shield with the arms of the deceased. In a room attached to the Church, and which if opened to the chancel would form a continuation of the north aisle, are some very handsome monuments of the families of Chichester and Fellowes. The first to one of the Chichesters has a full length effigies of a knight in complete armour standing erect, with a coronet on his head, and holding a baton in his right hand, on either side of him reclines one of his two wives; beneath are figures kneeling, apparently his children; this group of figures is placed under a circular arch supported on columns with the full coat of arms over the centre, and shields with arms emblazoned on them on the soffit of the arch. This monument is placed against the south wall of the room, and opposite it against the north wall, is one of the father and mother of the above, their effigies reclining in a state bed with angels hovering over them, and profusely adorned with gilding. Against the east wall is one of rather a different character; two marble columns with beautifully executed Corinthian capitals of pure white marble support an arch and pediment which rises to the ceiling; over the centre of the arch appears a shield encircled by scroll work of white marble, and having the arms of the deceased emblazoned on it. In the centre of the arch is a base which was intended no doubt to have received an urn, or some other appropriate emblem, which is much wanted; at the foot are four figures kneeling, and an inscription tells that it was in memory of William Fellowes, Esq. This tomb was executed in Italy, and is of quite a different character from the greater number of our monumental sculptures: the centre appears unfinished, and it seems inconsistent to enclose an empty pedestal with an arch and columns of such beautiful work.[Text may be taken from a different source or edition than that listed as the source by Somers Cocks.]

Lithograph

148x223mm