Church of the Holy Ghost, Crowcombe

The Church of the Holy Ghost is a medieval building in this village with a tower built from red sandstone dating to the 14th century, along with a nave and chancel from the 15th century. The structure displays the typical layout of an English parish church, with its substantial tower and rectangular interior spaces.

The original spire was struck by lightning in 1724 and collapsed, with parts of the fallen structure remaining visible in the churchyard today. This event marked a major change to the building's exterior and left lasting marks on the church landscape.

The church contains carved wooden bench ends from the 16th century that show scenes from local folklore, including two men fighting a two-headed dragon. These carvings reveal how medieval craftspeople brought stories from their community into the decoration of the building.

The tower holds six bells that are rung in a change ringing system at festive times, with regular practice sessions on Thursday evenings. Visitors can reach it easily on foot and should check opening times, as this village church is not always open like many others in rural areas.

A private Carew chapel was built in 1655 and continues to be used by the family to this day, making it a rare example of an active family chapel. This use by the same family across centuries shows an uncommon continuity in English church life.

Location: Crowcombe

Inception: 14 century

GPS coordinates: 51.12320,-3.22918

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:40