St Winifred's Church, Branscombe

Church in Branscombe, Devon, England

St Winifred's Church is a Church of England church in Branscombe in Devon, England. The church is dedicated to Saint Winifred, a Welsh saint. It is among the oldest and most architecturally significant parish churches of Devon. It probably dates back as far as about 995, but extant records on the vicars only go back to the thirteenth century. There is some archaeological evidence to suggest that an earlier Saxon church may have occupied the site. The building has a traditional west―east alignment. It is built on a levelled area that can not be seen from the coast. The choice of location may have been for protection of the original Saxon church from Viking raiders. Alternatively, the church may have been placed on an earlier pre Christian holy site. Occupying such a pagan site would have allowed the Church to both challenge paganism and benefit from any positive religious feelings associated with the site.

The church building is partly Norman and partly later medieval. The tower is central and the transepts, which are later, stand unusually to the west of the tower. The nave is Norman, the transepts perhaps mid–13th century. The chancel is probably 14th century, though the east window was replaced in the time of Bishop Neville (1458–1464). Interesting features include the font, which is 15th century, and the pulpit, which is a three decker pulpit and as such almost unique in Devon. Other woodwork includes the Jacobean screen and west gallery and the altar rails of c. 1700.