Saint Andrew's Church - 2
Church Architecture
The visitor to the church sees a noble exterior, all granite and all embattled, crowned by a splendid west tower. The interior of the church gives a remarkable impression of space and light. Like so many in Devon, the church was entirely rebuilt about 1450, a time of prosperity, despite the Wars of the Roses.

There is a wide nave with open aisles of four bays. The pillars on the north are of granite, but those on the south are of polyphant stone from Cornwall. The chancel has two bays upon the south and one upon the north, between the chancel and the chapels. There are good waggon roofs throughout, except above the south aisle, which has a flat roof.

The appearance of the church was greatly altered in 1831 when the then Rector directed, "the screen to be removed altogether or placed further back". It was removed, but sufficient remained for the section on the south aisle to be reconstructed early last century.
The restored rood screen
Roof Bosses
The roof bosses are particularly notable. The finest is the splendid head in the chancel above the altar.
Head above the altar
Green Man near the altar
There are two examples of the three rabbits (or three hares) sharing three ears between them, sometimes called the "Hunt of Venus" and clearly a symbol of the Holy Trinity.

There also a sow and a litter, two or three "green men", a king and queen and the arms of Courtenay.
Three Hares (or rabbits) in nave
www.sampfordcourtenay.org.uk
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