Ottery St Mary - St Mary

St Mary has been referred to as "a miniature Exeter Cathedral". Like the cathedral it is cruciform in plan, with transepts formed by towers.



It is 50 m long, and the towers are 22 m high. It was consecrated in 1260, at which time the church and manor belonged to Rouen Cathedral.



In 1335 the Bishop of Exeter bought the manor and advowson from Rouen and in 1338 established a collegiate foundation. He rebuilt much of the church, and the present nave, chancel, aisles and Lady chapel date from this time.



The college was dissolved in 1545 and this church began serving the parish. The other buildings of the college were demolished.

If the elephant is as old as the surrounding capitals, the carver must have studied the wooden "Exeter Elephant" from the middle of the 13th century. The elephant here is fairly accurate, but has small, almost ‘human’ ears.