Ayshford Chapel
[2] It is situated immediately to the south of the manor house of Ayshford Court, and to the north of the Grand Western Canal.
[4] Since it was declared redundant, the chapel has been maintained by a charity, the Friends of Friendless Churches, who hold a 125 year lease with effect from 1 February 2000.
[2] Ayshford Chapel is constructed in local Westleigh chert rubble, with dressings in Beer stone.
The plan consists of a rectangular building in one cell with no division between the nave and chancel.
The carved oak chancel screen dating from the same period is panelled and includes blind arcarding.
[2] The remainder of the furniture, consisting of utilitarian oak pews, dates from the 19th century.
The chapel is floored with red and black glazed tiles, and contains memorials to members of the Ayshford family.
[3] On the floor in the sanctuary before the altar is the much worn yellow sandstone gravestone of Henry Ashford.
Etiam jacet Anne uxor eius quae obiit ultimo die Octobris Anno Dom.
[1] The incised text reads as follows: Near this place lies enterrd the body of John Ayshford of Ayshford in the county of Devon Esq.r who departed this life the 24th day of Febru: 1689 in ye 49th year of his aage (sic).
The owners of the building when it was listed in 1966 possessed a transcript of a 1689 inventory which showed the great wealth of the Ayshford family at that time.
