Western Morning News
31 May 2006

Startling Discovery during renovation of medieval church

Bible text believed to be more than 350 years old has been uncovered by builders restoring a village church in East Devon. St Mary the Virgin Church which dates from the 12th century at Offwell, near Honiton, gave up its ancient secret when builders began removing old lime plaster as part of a £45,000 restoration, including roof repairs.

The rare frieze, found underneath the plaster on a hidden wall, is thought to date from the time of the English Civil War.

Church warden Grace Ayres said so far builders had uncovered an area of about five feet high and three feet wide showing text believed to be from the scriptures, psalms or the Lord's Prayer.

"At the moment we don't know what it is or when it got there, but we have called in a conservationist to look at what has been discovered," she said.

Mrs. Ayres said uncovering the lettering would cost extra money and has appealed for fundraising to come forward.

"We want to keep what has been found for people to see when they come to church," she said.

"But it will add to the cost of the restoration of the church which also includes new beams above the windows. The church tower also needs new lead."

Conservationist Ruth McNeilage said the writing was put on church walls in the absence of statues at the time of the Reformation.

"It is quite rare in this part of Devon to find text like this and the find is very impressive," she said. "It probably dates from the time of the English Civil War.

"It is extremely exciting to have made this find. The wall paintings are in remarkably good condition and I hope they are left on display for everyone to see."

Devon builders Skinner Construction which found the wall hidden behind plaster said they first saw coloured patterns and fragments of text.

They immediately informed the churchwarden and Parochial Church Council and hope to continue chipping away the plaster to uncover more of the writing underneath.

Supervising architect Paul Heighway said work stopped immediately when the wall was discovered.