[4] In the opinion of Pevsner it is of exceptional interest "both for its early structure undisturbed by the usual Perp(endicular) remodelling and because its simple and charming late Georgian interior has escaped radical Victorian restoration".

[8] It incorporates some remains from the former manor house of the Reynell family (whose earliest Devonshire seat was at adjoining East Ogwell),[9] including stables and outbuildings built in 1588 by Thomas Reynell,[10] as the surviving datestone in the wall of the lean-to building in the courtyard attests by its inscription Anno Domini 1588 T. R..[11] In 1943 it became the Convent of the Companions of Jesus the Good Shepherd (founded 1920), and a chapel was added in 1955.

[26] In 1726 Joseph Taylor (c.1693-1746) married Rebecca Whitrow, daughter of John Whitrow of Dartmouth and niece and heiress of Richard Reynell (c.1681-1734/5) of East Ogwell, West Ogwell and of Denbury near Ashburton, twice elected a Member of Parliament for Ashburton 1702-8 and 1711-34.

[28] He was a Member of Parliament for Ashburton 1739-41 and was educated at Exeter College, Oxford and as a law student at the Middle Temple.

As her surviving correspondence reveals she was "a cultured and intelligent woman, who had strong opinions of her own concerning not only the running of her life but also on the subjects of books and literature".

[32] In about 1750 Thomas Taylor began to rebuild the manor house at West Ogwell,[33] as recorded by Polwhele (1793): "Three parts of this parish at present are the property of Mr Taylor who built a large house here about forty years ago but left it unfinished.

It stands near the church and is occupied by Farmer Howard, who rents the estate and whose family are more than half the parisioners.

[36] The manor house of East Ogwell was then abandoned,[37] and Polwhele (1793) wrote of East Ogwell Church: "Close adjoining to the church are the ivy-grown ruins of the mansion house of the Reynells, inhabited at present by large flocks of pigeons".

[53] His obituary stated as follows:[54] The couple's inscribed gravestone is situated in the graveyard of West Ogwell Church beside the south chancel wall.