ST MARY'S CHURCH, Bideford, Devon
ST MARY'S CHURCH, Bideford, Devon

The present parish church of St Mary was rebuilt in 1862-5 to replace a Norman church of 1260. Various fittings and monuments were retained from the old church and the tower survives from the original building.
Arthur Giffard (1605-1668), younger brother of Colonel John Giffard (1602-1665), was appointed rector of Bideford in 1643 but was forcefully ejected from his living by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War. He later returned to Bideford and in 1668 was buried in the chancel of the parish church, without a sepulchral monument.

[image copyright: Jane Sercombe Lewis]

ST MARY'S CHURCH, Bideford, Devon

The present parish church of St Mary was rebuilt in 1862-5 to replace a Norman church of 1260. Various fittings and monuments were retained from the old church and the tower survives from the original building.
Arthur Giffard (1605-1668), younger brother of Colonel John Giffard (1602-1665), was appointed rector of Bideford in 1643 but was forcefully ejected from his living by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War. He later returned to Bideford and in 1668 was buried in the chancel of the parish church, without a sepulchral monument.

[image copyright: Jane Sercombe Lewis]