The Woodcarvings

The Woodcarvings are some of the best features of this ancient church.  The outstanding ones are the work of sisters, Mary Rashleigh, Esther and Violet Pinwill, who were three of the seven daughters of The Rev'd Edmund Pinwill, who came to the church in 1880.

Violet also worked in stone and created the lovely alabaster in the reredos of the Adoration of the baby Jesus by shepherds and wise men.  It is a scene of wonder, amazement and dignity.

The sisters' firm was known as Rashleigh Pinwill and when, after some years, Mary and Esther left it, Violet ran the business.  She employed a number of men, supervising and executing work herself, until she retired in 1954 at the age of 80.  There are over one hundred churches, mainly in Devon and Cornwall, which have examples of her work.