Brentor Church (St Michael de Rupe)

St Michael de Rupe, known locally as Brentor Church, stands on the summit of Brent Tor, a volcanic outcrop on the western edge of Dartmoor, and is the parish church of Brentor. It was founded in 1130 by the local landowner Robert Giffard. The foundation is 12th century, but most of the church seen today dates from the 13th and 14th centuries, when the original chantry chapel was enlarged to serve as a parish church.

Historic England lists the building as Grade I, describing it as largely 13th century with a 15th century tower and alterations. The plan is a small nave and chancel; in the 15th century the tower was added and the chancel widened to match the nave. It is built of local volcanic stone with Hardwick stone dressings, has a lead roof hidden behind tall battlemented parapets, and has just one window each in its north and south walls. A restoration took place in 1889 to 1890.

The church describes itself as the fourth smallest parish church in the UK and, it believes, the highest working church in southern England.

Bells

The tower holds five bells. An inventory of church goods made in 1553 lists bells in the tower; in 1909 the earlier bells were recast and two more added by Mears and Stainbank of London, and the ring was dedicated by Bishop Archibald Robertson on 20 August 1909. The fourth bell carries a medieval inscription, Gallas vocor ego, solus per omne sono, reused from one of the older bells.

Visiting and services

The church holds Evensong at 6pm on Sundays from Easter to Michaelmas, with festival services through the winter, including Advent and Epiphany carol concerts, a Christmas Day carol service and a Good Friday ascent of the tor. It aims to hold a service at least once a month all year, and is a popular wedding venue. Following major repairs in 2016 the roof was refurbished, and the lighting now runs off solar panels on the roof, replacing the Victorian gas lamps. Check the church website for current service times and any changes.

Connections

Sabine Baring-Gould set his 1884 vampire story Margery of Quether at this church, naming it outright. Read more in Dartmoor's Own Vampire. See also Sabine Baring-Gould.

• Dedication: St Michael
• Founded: 1130, by Robert Giffard (the church's own account)
• Listed: Grade I, 21 March 1967 (Historic England list entry 1104836)
• Parish: Brentor, Church of England, Diocese of Exeter
• Grid reference: SX 470 804 (approximate)