Church of St Michael & All Angels, Princetown, Devon
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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.
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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.
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Facilities & Hire
Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number have heating, running water or toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor.
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Directions
4 miles east of Tavistock, off B3557
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Transport
Nearest railway station: Bere Alston (9.8 miles)
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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
A short guide (walk round guide) to St Michael and All Angels' Church, Princetown
Princetown to Kings Tor loop guided walk
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Community information
All our Devon churches are in CCT's 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)
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