St Peter's and St Paul's Church, Holsworthy
St Peter's and St Paul's Church in Holsworthy, Devon, is a Grade II* parish church. The current building dates from the mid-13th century in the Early English style, and it was heavily rebuilt in 1881–82. The chancel was rebuilt, the nave and south aisle were renovated, and a north aisle, organ chamber, and vestry were added.
The tall west tower is from the 15th century and rises about 85 feet. It houses eight bells and a carillon. Before the present church, a Norman Oratory was built around 1130 on the same site, and remnants of it remain in the south porch. The original Norman church was small and located where the current nave stands. Around 1250 the oratory was replaced by the current church, with additions in 1366.
In the 14th century, Walter le Deneis founded a Chantry Chapel near the church. Around 1450 the chantry became part of the church, probably in the south aisle. The last chantry priest served in 1524.
Inside, the chancel has four windows from 1883, including an east Ascension window. Other windows are by Clayton and Bell and by Lavers and Westlake. The north aisle was later made into a Lady Chapel, and the organ chamber and vestry were added in 1883. The interior features local stone walls, Corsham Bath stone dressings, and a timber roof with carved oak angels.
The oak pulpit dates to 1910 and was donated in memory of John Aspinall. The porch contains Norman-style details, including a carved Holy water stoup and a doorway with a 19th-century arch.
The tower clock dates from 1869, and a carillon was installed at the same time. The eight bells were recast in 1949, and their inscriptions note the donors and builders. The organ, once from Chelsea Old Church, was moved to Holsworthy in 1865 and rebuilt in the following years.
In the mid-20th century the north aisle became a Lady Chapel, and a window from about 1970 shows the enthroned Virgin. The church remains a prominent example of Early English style with later medieval and Victorian restorations.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 16:04 (CET).