Brayford churches
The Parish was created as a result of the 1974 boundary changes. The then two parishes of Charles and High Bray were joined to become the new Parish of Brayford. It has three active churches, including two Church of England at High Bray and Charles. In the village of Brayford there is a Methodist Church, the present building dating from 1927. The Baptist Chapel, built in 1820 and the oldest in North Devon, is now sadly closed.
Church of England: Exeter Diocese
All Saints, High Bray
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All Saints Church at High Bray
All Saints Church stands in a commanding position on a promontory overlooking the Bray valley. It seems to have been established by the Normans but the present building dates largely from a reconstruction in the 1520s. Features pre-dating this are a circular font with a characteristic Norman zig-zag frieze and part of a 15th century rood screen, now in the tower arch. The church consists of a west tower, nave chancel, south aisle and south porch. The tower is broad and battlemented, with carved faces and gargoyles. The aisle has four bays and the nave has a waggon roof. A capital on one of the pillars between the nave and aisle has a carving of a bellringer with a rope entwined around the column. In the porch are stone seats and an old coat rail. Many other features date from Victorian restoration. There is a stained glass window dated 1919, which is a memorial to landowner Sir Charles Dyke Acland.
Services most Sundays at 8.30am or 11.15am – see Brayford Diary
for details.
St John the Baptist, Charles,
At Charles was an old chapel, dedicated to St Petrock in 1424, and later converted to become the rectory.
St John the Baptist church stands on the brow of a hillside overlooking the Bray valley. It was entirely rebuilt in 1875. Earlier remains are the font (1727) and an inscribed brass to George Kellie, a former rector, and his 'wife Ursula (1649). The novelist RD Blackmore stayed frequently with the rector, his uncle Richard, at Charles rectory. His grandfather John Blackmore was patron and incumbent here.There is a memorial window  installed to celebrate the centenary of R D Blackmore in 1925.
Services: see Brayford Diary for details.
Methodist church: Plymouth and Exeter District/South Molton Circuit
Regular Methodist preaching began at Brayford in 1777. Land was given for a Methodist chapel and graveyard in 1813. These are now somewhat neglected. However, across the road is a new chapel and schoolroom, built in 1927. This is a much larger building, well constructed in stone and brick.
There was also a Methodist Chapel at Charles Bottom.
Services every Sunday at 11.00am and 6.30pm. On the first Sunday of each month there
is a shorter service followed by coffee
Former Baptist chapel
Brayford's former Baptist Chapel stands in the main street, close to the Methodist buildings. Built in 1820, it is the oldest Baptist chapel in North Devon. The land was donated by Joseph Gould, who also gave the land for the first Methodist Chapel. The chapel was extended in 1924.