Ayshford Chapel

Ayshford Chapel
Ayshford Chapel with Ayshford Court beyond and to the right
Location: Ayshford, Devon, England
OS grid reference: ST 048 152
Built: 15th century
Built for: Ayshford (Ashford) family
Restored: 19th century
Architectural style(s): Perpendicular
Listed Building – Grade I
Designated: 5 April 1966
Location in Devon

Ayshford Chapel is a former private chapel in the village of Ayshford, Devon, England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade I listed building,[1] and is under the care of the Friends of Friendless Churches.[2] It is situated to the south of the manor house of Ayshford Court, and to the north of the Grand Western Canal.[3]

Contents

History

The chapel was built in the 15th century for the Ayshford (or Ashford) family of the nearby Ayshford Court. It was renovated during the 19th century.[1] This renovation included installation of stained glass; this was the first signed work by the glass painter John Toms of Wellington.[4] Since it was declared redundant, the chapel has been maintained by the charity, the Friends of Friendless Churches, who hold a 125 year lease with effect from 1 February 2000.[5] In 2001–02 the charity undertook major conservation work. This included restoring the salmon-pink limewash in the interior, and repairing the stained glass.[2]

Architecture

Ayshford Chapel is constructed in local Westleigh chert rubble, with dressings in Beer stone.[3] It has a slate roof. The plan consists of a rectangular building in one cell with no division between the nave and chancel. It is supported by corner buttresses. The ends are gabled and coped; at the west end is a bellcote, and at the east end is an apex cross. There are three two-light windows in each side wall and a three-light window in each end; all contain Perpendicular tracery. There are two doors, one at the west end, the other on the south side.[1]

Internally the roof dates from the 15th century; it is a continuous open wagon roof and contains oak bosses with foliage carving. The carved oak chancel screen dating from the same period is panelled and includes blind arcarding. It was painted in the 19th century.[1] Some of red, blue and green paint is still present.[2] The remainder of the furniture dates from the 19th century. The chapel is floored with red and black tiles, and it contains memorials to members of the Ayshford family.[1] The stained glass is said to be in Art Deco style.[2] There is a single bell inscribed with the date 1657.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Ayshford Chapel", The National Heritage List for England (English Heritage), 2011, http://list.english-heritage.org.uk/resultsingle.aspx?uid=1325900, retrieved 10 May 2011 
  2. ^ a b c d Ayshford Chape, Friends of Friendless Churches, http://www.friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/CMSMS/index.php?page=ayshford, retrieved 21 July 2010 
  3. ^ a b c Saunders, Matthew (2010), Saving Churches, London: Frances Lincoln, pp. 20–22, ISBN 978-0-7112-3154-2 
  4. ^ Cheshire, Jim (2004), Stained glass and the Victorian gothic revival, Manchester University Press, p. 67, ISBN 978-0719063466, http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=X7DfzDRczhoC&pg=PA67&lpg=PA67&dq=ayshford+chapel&source=bl&ots=t2hXHF6Ef8&sig=6oDmXwHrXQJ1L-Uwju80xKnazyA&hl=en&ei=WJM9TJ-bMsH54AalorHGAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CDIQ6AEwCTgK#v=onepage&q=ayshford%20chapel&f=false, retrieved 21 July 2010 
  5. ^ Churches and chapels owned by the Friends of Friendless Churches: Details for Visitors, London: Friends of Friendless Churches, June 2010 

External links