Littlehempston Contents & Search

Between 1908 and 1916, John Stabb, an ecclesiologist and photographer who lived in Torquay, published three volumes of Some Old Devon Churches and one of Devon Church Antiquities. A projected second volume of the latter, regarded by Stabb himself as a complement to the former, did not materialize because of his untimely death on August 2nd 1917, aged 52. Collectively, Stabb's four volumes present descriptions of 261 Devon churches and their antiquities.

LITTLE HEMPSTON. St. John the Baptist. The church was rebuilt in 1439 and consists of chancel, nave, north and south aisles, south porch with parvise over it, and embattled west tower with four bells, the first dated 1847, the second and fifth 1700, the remaining two are early bells with legends in Old English characters. The chancel retains a piscina with shelf, and also the ancient priest's doorway.

There is a fine rood screen [plate 147], it is to be regretted that all traces of the ancient colouring and gilding have disappeared, and that it has been painted a dark brown. The groining is gone, but there is a good deal of delicate carving remaining, the cornice is carved with foliage, clusters of grapes and birds. The rood staircase remains, as does the staircase in the south wall to the room over the south porch. In the north aisle there is an effigy of a knight clad in mail, with the legs crossed, which is supposed to represent Sir John Arundell, date 1243. In the south aisle there are two 14th century effigies.

The ancient rectory house, built round a courtyard just twenty feet square, is almost unique of its kind.

The registers date: baptisms, 1544; marriages, 1539; burials, 1546.

Return to top

Last updated: 9 Jul 2007 - Brian Randell