Church of St Michael & All Angels, Princetown
Devon
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About this Church
A church built by prisoners of war
This simple, slender-towered Dartmoor church was built between 1812-14 by prisoners captured in the Napoleonic Wars with France, and the War of 1812 with the United States - they were held at Dartmoor prison.
Cherry and Pevsner describe the location on Dartmoor as 'unquestionably the bleakest place in Devon'. It is 436 metres above sea level and exposed to high winds and twice the national average rain fall. The walls are of local granite and the interior is as plain as the exterior.
The east window contains stained glass of 1910 in memory of the American prisoners who helped to build the church.
To make a donation to Princetown Church text 'PRN' to 70191 to donate £10. Thank you.
Access information
From Tavistock Road through iron gates and up a gravel path to the north porch. Up one step over drainage channel and further step to nave floor. Two sets of doors.
A wheelchair ramp is available for group bookings.
Facilities & Hire
Princetown church is available to hire for events and is a unique and beautiful venue.
Due to its historic nature the church has no heating, running water or toilet facilities so thought needs to be given for events longer than a couple of hours (e.g. portaloo hire).
There is electricity at Princetown St Michael & All Angel's and it can seat up to 200 people.
- Church Available for Hire
History & Further Information
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church before you visit? You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.
Cornwall Devon Dorset County Guide
Directions
4 miles east of Tavistock, off B3557
Transport
Nearest railway station: Bere Alston (9.8 miles)
Volunteering Opportunities
We are cuirently looking for volunteers at St Michael's to help with fundraising and research, interpretation and talks roles.
If you are interested please contact the Local Community Officer on mleverett@thecct.org.uk
Community Information
Click the link above to download a copy of the Church Plan which sets out the shared vision for the future of the church. This is a working document that will be updated on a regular basis. If you have any feedback or if you want to contact us about the church plan please drop us a line. When you write, please do give the name of the church, thank you!
The Church of St Michael and All Angels, Princetown is in our West region.
Useful local links:
- The Friends of St Michael & All Angels' Church
- Visit Devon
- Devon Family History Society
- Devon History Society
- Devon Historic Churches Trust
- Diocese of Exeter
- Society US Daughters of 1812 (for information re. the American links to Princetown and the church)
