I played around on Google and there is a site which refers to D.F.HS and Devon record office, which might help www.devonfhs.org.uk/forewords/D078
There are records at Devon record office covering the period 31.12.1879 -March 1923 ref 74/151/-74/153B which might help. It would appear that the church was running these homes.
Hope this helps a bit.