Before it\u2019s recent renovation, this old ecclesiastical edifice was quite in keeping with the straggling and unsightly buildings of the unassuming little parish in which it is situated. Uplowman is about five miles from Tiverton; its inmates cannot be counted by their thousands; indeed, so far from that, you could easily take the census in half-an-hour.\u00a0 The parish church bears the name of St Peter, and has a tower and five bells, the rectory being under the patronage and incumbency of the Rev. C.S. Bere. There is also connected with it a school, supported by subscriptions and several Charities too have been founded for the benefit of the poor.\u00a0 The incumbent is a thorough good English gentleman, generally respected by all classes amongst whom he associates \u2013 whether as a promoter of Middle-class Education and co-operator of the Rev. Prebendary Brereton \u2013 whether, as the pastor of his little flock at Uplowman, or (we hope we are not irreverent) as the crack batsmen of the Tiverton Cricket Club.<\/p>\n
St Paul\u2019s dates its erection as far back as the 14th <\/sup>century, and from trustworthy evidence it appears that the liberal patron of learning, Margaret Beaufort, Contess of Richmond and Derby, and mother of Henry VII, contributed to its adornment.\u00a0 This lady,it may be mentioned, also endowed a school at Torrington. The edifies, which is not at all noted for its architectural magnificences \u2013 was fast falling into decay and rain, and the worshippers were almost buried in the high pews, which were so common in former days, and are now being gradually taken down and replaced with infinitely more comfortable seats of modern invention and construction.<\/p>\n You can worship there with ease, and the pews, open at the end, combine every element of comfort.\u00a0 No distinction, it would appear, is to be made between the wealthy and the plebeian in the allocation of seats at this House of God.\u00a0 Whether the weekly offertory will be practised we are not aware.<\/p>\n The church has been re-roofed.\u00a0 The pillars which formerly were much out of\u00a0 perpendicular have been taken down and restored.\u00a0 The tower arch has been thrown open, the vestry removed from the tower, and placed on the north side of the Chancel.\u00a0 The Chancel has been entirely rebuilt, having three stained windows, from the establishment of Messrs. Walles and Son, of Newcastle.\u00a0 The east window was given by a few friends in memory of the late Mr Commissioner Bere.\u00a0 Another is in memory of the Rev.S Pidsley, formerly rector of Uplowman, and erected at the expense of his widow.\u00a0 The north window was subscribed for by old friends and schoolfellows of the Rev. C S Bere, the rector.<\/p>\n The Chancel is laid in encaustic tile \u2013 ornamental tie \u2013 beam throws across the Chancel arch to prevent the arch from spreading.\u00a0 The pulpit is new, and of bath stone, with marble shafts, etc. It is hereafter intended to fill in the panels with figures of the evangelists, size and outline in black cement.<\/p>\n The church is heated with Hayden\u2019s hot air apparatus and is well ventilated. We noticed several coats of arms of the Courtenay family.\u00a0 The niche at the eastern termination of the nave contains a pedestal and we were informed that on this pedestal it is supposed there formerly stood a statue of our Saviour of the patron Saint of the Church of St Peter, others again think a credence table stood there.<\/p>\n The only relic of the church is a bracket, probably the remains of an old capitol.\u00a0 We were told that the Church underwent restoration in the latter half of the sixteenth century.\u00a0 During this present restoration \u2013 which commenced last June \u2013 Divine services has been held in the school-room.<\/p>\n The architect was Mr Hayward, and the builder Mr Wood of Larley near Tiverton. Mr Williams of Tiverton executed the stone work. The work was done by voluntary subscription aided by a rate, the principal contributor being C Troyt, Esq. of Huntsham, brother-in-law of the rector.<\/p>\n