Church Of All Saints, Kenton, Devon, England.

The restored 15th-Century Rood Screen and Loft 

in the Church of All Saints, Kenton, Devon, England.

Text and Illustrations: DEVON CHURCH LAND

Wealth and beauty do not always step out together, but in this case, in Kenton, they most surely do make for a very happy couple. Kenton Church is a humdinger.

The Parish had extensive fertile farmland, along with a sea coast, now occupied by newer Parishes, along with a River Exe estuary shoreline.

Fishing, salt works, farm products, trade through Exeter into the hinterland, exporting overseas, all added up to loads of money which, back in those Faith-filled days, wandered Churchwards.

Even the name “Kenton”, meaning the Ken Settlement, is an indicator. “Ken” probably comes from the old Britonnic [Editor: Breton, Cornish, and Welsh] Celtic meaning “brilliant, white” and is a possible clue to the age of the salt industry; mind you, the main river that runs through the Parish is called the River Kenn, so the name might refer to clear water.

The Church ? Lush Devon Red Stone interspersed with muted White Beer Stone, the colours of the local soil and the breaking ocean waves, are the first delights, used so well here.

The Nave, Kenton Church, Devon.

The Chancel, Kenton Church, Devon.

Stained-Glass Window,

Church of All Saints, Kenton, Devon.

Church of All Saints, Kenton, Devon.