Post by Dave on Oct 4, 2018 14:38:37 GMT
St Andrew Church Ruins South Huish 4th October 2018
St Andrew Church South Huish has been on my must visit for a long time now. As I had a day off today and had to go to Wrangaton on business, I thought I would dive the extra half an hour after I had finished what I had to do and head over to the ruined church.
I find there is something very magical standing in such old ruined buildings and I always stand there and wonder about all the people who once used it. Some might have got married here, others christened and some would have had their funeral’s there.
This church was built in the 13th century and the tower was probably not added until the 15th century. By 1866, the condition of the church had deteriorated, perhaps due to population movement away from South Huish to Galmpton, about half a mile to the south, and the old church was considered to be beyond repair. A new church was built in the nearby village of Galmpton to replace it.
The bells and font were moved to the new church and St Andrew's was abandoned. Also removed to Galmpton were the broken remains of two 15th-century alabasterreredoses depicting scenes from the life of Christ. Before this time, the stoup has been removed to Salcombe parish church.The other fittings were sold. The late medieval screen was removed to Bowringsleigh House in West Alvington. The south aisle arcade went to the church at Dodbrooke. The bench ends were acquired by the Earl of Devon, and it is thought that they were installed in the chapel at Powderham Castle.
In 1976 the ruins were vested in the charity the Friends of Friendless Churches. The charity holds a 999 year lease with effect from 1 January 1976. Soon after vesting, the top 8 feet (2 m) of the tower was removed. In 1988 one of the granite windows was reconstructed from fallen stones on the site.Work has been undertaken to slow down the decay of the remaining structure. An annual service continues to be held at the site.
There are grave stones from the 1700’s that can still be read in the churchyard, I expected there are much older ones but they have weathered badly and can’t be read. I stayed on the site a good half an hour but then had to move quickly back to my car as I can under attack from either bees or wasps. I am not sure what they were but they had a nest by the looks of it halfway up the tower wall.
I drove out the way my car was facing and ended up at South Milton Sands, I stopped here for a short while to get a few extra photos. I forgot to say the only place you can park to view the church is right outside it on a grass bank that only has room for one car. Once again I wished the sky was blue and not such a dull grey, but at least it was dry and I am so glad I went there today.
