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.
What an extremely beautiful, well-preserved church, with its ornate rood screen and perfect interior architectural balance. All attention is focused on the central altar (granted, this is a Diocese of Exeter, Church of England sanctuary since the 1540’s: but the locals had the good sense to leave its architectural and artistic beauty of its contrasting red stone v. white stone scheme and balance alone). Thank you, Zephyrinus.
ReplyDelete(Would that so many Catholic sanctuaries could have survived the stone- and altar-smashers of the 1960’s-1970’s—anon. Alas.). -Note by Dante P
Thank you, Dante P, for your welcome Comment.
DeleteDelighted that you found this particular Article on this Devon Church so interesting. Devon, indeed, has an abundance of beautiful Churches. More will be shortly published on this Blog.
One wonders what the “stone- and altar-smashers of the 1960s and 1970s” are doing now ? Probably two years inside, no doubt !!!
Their sledge-hammers and pick-axes long-ago confiscated.
And: We can be certain that Jeeves and Perkins will soon be petitioning Zephyrinus for the keys to the Charabanc to go and inspect this lovely Devon church’s “muted White Beer Stone..” -Note by Dante P
DeleteOh, dear !!! That thought hadn't occurred to me.
DeleteThank you, Dante P, for bringing that to my attention.
I will now lock the Charabanc in the garage.