Make this page my homepage
- Search using interactive map
- Complete list of churches
- Revealing royal arms
- Discover wallpaintings
- Using our churches
- Home
- Our churches
- Complete list of churches
- Parracombe, Devon (St Petrock's Church)
Set in glorious countryside on the edge of Exmoor this hilltop church seems to be a modest Medieval building, but it is the lovely light Georgian interior with painted texts and wonderful furnishings that have hardly changed for 200 years that make it very special.
The undulating slate floors and leaning arcade only add to the unforgettable charm of this church. There are rails round three sides of the altar, the Ten Commandments painted on a board above a pretty 15th-century screen, a three-tier pulpit with reading desk, box pews, and musicians’ seats raised on steps at the west end.
St Petrock’s is believed to be the last church in Devon to use musicians to accompany the hymns – there is a hole in one of the pews to allow room for the bow of a bass viol. In 1879 there was a proposal to pull the church down because of fears for its stability, and to build a new one on the same site.
The poet John Ruskin led the protests and sent a £10 cheque to support the preservation of the church. The objections were successful and the church was saved.
To locate this church on a map, click on the 'View on map' link that appears below the address information at the top of the page.
11 miles north east of Barnstaple, off A39 and 4 miles south west of Lynton
Nearest railway station: Barnstaple (10.6 miles)
SS 675 449
01/05/12
Following on from the success of our Discover Wallpaintings project last year we are delighted to announce the launch of…
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Click on images to view larger
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church and the CCT 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 (PDF, 4.5mb)
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches CCT cares for in Cornwall, Devon & Dorset. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.
St Peter's Church, Satterleigh, Devon A tiny rural gem Satterleigh, Umberleigh, Devon, EX37 9DJ
See church page
St James' Tower, Upton, Somerset Just a tower remaining Eastmoor Lane, Upton, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 2JG
See church page
Church of St Martin of Tours, Elworthy, Somerset A church with an unusual outdoor staircase Silverdown Hill, Elworthy, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 3PY
See church page
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
All our Devon churches are in CCT’s West region.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
If the access information for this church is listed as 'Keyholder nearby', this means that the key is kept by one of our invaluable volunteer 'keyholders', who usually live just a short walk from the church and can give visitors the key; sometimes this is a nearby hotel, pub, library, art gallery or other venue. You will find instructions explaining how to get the key when you arrive at the church.
Access is possible, although the path is uneven.
Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number of them have heating or running water meaning that they can be cold, and very rarely have toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor. We do apologise for any inconvenience the lack of facilities may cause.
Hiring our churches
FAQs
Job vacancies
Useful links
Latest news
Website feedback
Terms of Use
Privacy & Security
Accessibility
Sitemap
Write to us:
1 West Smithfield, London
EC1A 9EE
Give us a call:
020 7213 0660 (9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday)
Email us:
central@tcct.org.uk
Help us conserve over 340 historic churches across England.
Your donations
Donate just £2 a month
Your time
Become a volunteer
Your support
Become a Supporter of CCT
© The Churches Conservation Trust 2012 / Registered Charity Number 258612
CMS: New Brand Vision | Website design: designbystructure Ltd
Watch our videos on Vimeo
Have you visited this church?
Why not share your experience with us?
Comments
There have been no comments made yet.
Write a comment
Please try another code if you can't read the letters and numbers.