St Mary's Church, Ottery St Mary, Medieval parish church in Ottery St Mary, England
St Mary's Church in Ottery St Mary is a medieval parish church in Devon, England, built in stone with a floor plan that closely mirrors Exeter Cathedral and features two towers. Inside, the building follows a cross-shaped layout with a nave, transepts, and a choir that retains much of its original medieval stonework and detail.
Bishop John de Grandisson of Exeter acquired the manor in 1337 and founded a college of priests, which led to the rebuilding of the existing church into the form it largely holds today. The college was dissolved in the 16th century during the Reformation, but the building survived and continued as a parish church.
St Mary's Church is closely linked to the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, whose father served here as vicar and who grew up in the town. Visitors who know his work often find this connection adds a personal dimension to the visit.
The church is regularly open to visitors, though it is worth checking service times in advance as the building may not be available for general visits during worship. The building is largely accessible, and the surrounding churchyard is easy to walk around.
The church houses one of the oldest working mechanical clocks in England, found in the south transept, which displays a medieval view of the cosmos with the sun and moon moving across a painted face. This clock was brought back into working order in the early 20th century and remains in operation today.
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