There were formerly two chapels in the parish of Dawlish:
Cofton Chapel
As reported by the Devon historian Polwhele, the original structure of St Mary's Church was a private chapel built for his own use by Dr George Kendall, Doctor of Divinity, who owned and resided at the estate of Cofton, and conducted the services personally. Pevsner however suggests the chapel had stood since the 13th century. In 1793 Cofton Chapel was in ruins, but still contained two monuments, one to Dr Kendall, the other to Mrs Charity Cooke, a daughter of William Cooke of Exeter. Dr George Kendall was the son and heir of George Kendall of Cofton by his wife Anne Cooke, a member of the Cooke family of Exeter, probably a junior branch of the Cooke family of Thorne in the parish of Ottery St Mary, Devon. George Kendall was the Customer of Exeter and Dartmouth and other member ports, but shortly before 1620 had been "wrongfully dispossessed". The Kendall family had been seated in at Treworgie in Cornwall four generations prior to Dr George Kendall. Dr George Kendall matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford in 1626/7, aged 16 and in 1654 obtained the degree of Doctor of Divinity. From 1643-55 he was Rector of Blisland in Cornwall, of which benefice he was deprived. In 1645 he was appointed a Prebendary of Exeter Cathedral. From 1646-62 he was Rector of Kenton, Devon, of which benefice he was deprived. He was Rector of St Benet's Church, Gracechurch Street in the City of London in 1660. His biography appears in Walker'sSufferings of the Clergy. The mural monument of Dr Kendall, formerly on the north wall of the chancel, was transcribed by a correspondent to the Gentleman's Magazine of 1794 as follows: In 1785 when "FJ" first viewed the monument the arms of Kendall and Pole were visible but had been effaced by 1794. Mary Pole was baptised at Moretonhampstead, and was a daughter of Periam Pole of Southcote in the parish of Talaton, a son of the Devon historian Sir William Pole, of Shute, Devon, by his wife Mary Peryam, one of the four daughters and co-heiresses of Sir William Peryam, of Fulford House, Shobrooke, Devon, a judge and Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
Ludwell Chapel of St Mary
Ludwell Chapel, dedicated to St Mary, also within the parish of Dawlish, was in 1793 a ruin standing in a field called "Chapel Park" on the estate of Ludwell, owned in 1793 by Richard Whidborne. Polwhele was informed by Mr Whidborne that all he knew about the chapel's history was that his father had told him "it is prayed for in Roman Catholic countries by the name of the Holy Chapel at Ludwell", and that on being given the estate by his father he had been made to promise that he would "not remove any of the stones or any part of the building".
Modern Cofton
Cofton is situated on the A379 road near the fishing ports of Cockwood and Starcross and is a popular holiday village in the area. The "Cofton Country Holidays" campsite is situated within the parish. Within the village are two public houses and a Sainsbury's supermarket.
