Brentor Devon
Church of St Michael de Rupe, (St Michael of the rock) Brentor Devon, built of local volcanic stone, formerly rendered, with local Hardwick stone dressings.   It stands on a rocky tor overlooking the Burn valley, all that remains of an ancient volcano.  The climb to the top is short and steep, but the views are well worth the effort . 
One of 2 parish churches here, it was founded in c1130 and is believed to be the 4th smallest in England, at only 40 feet in length, and stands at a higher elevation (340 metres) than any other.  Sometimes a tight fit for the congregation ! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=436578023218965&amp;set=ecnf.100064877916610" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=436578023218965&amp;set=ecnf...</a>
This was firstly a private chantry chapel for the Giffard family, served by a pair of secular priests and a clerk from Tavistock Abbey.   Legend says that Robert Gifford,  Lord of the Manor of Lamerton, was caught in a terrible storm at sea.   He prayed for deliverance to St Michael and vowed that if he was spared he would build a church on the first land he saw - this would have been his view if the lower land in between was covered by fog. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=393144804228954&amp;set=ecnf.100064877916610" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=393144804228954&amp;set=ecnf...</a>
Standing in this very exposed position, its fortified design had only one 12c window to the north and south sides of the nave and a small narrow chancel. 
This chapel was sequestered by the Bishop of Exeter who rebuilt it in the 13c, being rededicated in 1319 by Bishop Walter de Stapledon, later Lord High Treasurer of England,
The possessions of Tavistock Abbey, including Brentor church, were seized by the Crown at the Dissolution of the Monastery, and Brentor was granted to Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford, 
There is evidence of considerable repair over the ages.
Alterations were made in the 15c when the three stage tower was added and the chancel extended to the same width as the nave, (the east front masonry indicates narrow width of the original  chancel).  Also probably the steeply-pitched 13c roof was replaced by an almost flat 15c one protected from the weather by tall battlemented parapets supported on the 13c corbel table. 
The probably 15c plain octagonal font of granite survives   <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/t5ih2Xn3tt">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/t5ih2Xn3tt</a>  The rim of bowl retains fastenings to keep the holy water safe . 
All restored in 1889- 1890 when the interior roof was renewed, with massive rafters, said to be a copy of its 15c predecessor, , moulded to the nave, unmoulded to the chancel,,  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/YcQ9a4CHPP">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/YcQ9a4CHPP</a>  The six sided drum pulpit, benches and altar were also added .   

Stained glass in the east window showing St Michael with sword and scales, is signed James  Paterson, 1971.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/84Ux9EJK5K">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/84Ux9EJK5K</a>

The Batten family of Bremesbatch in the parish, have a slate memorial to a Walter Batten who was buried in 1677 &amp;  the name Walter Batten is on the 1694 sundial.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/1x9H05949F">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/1x9H05949F</a>  Later Lance Corporal John Henry Batten, youngest son of W H Batten again of Bremesbatch who died in Mesopotamia Sept 17th 1916 aged 20 years has a memorial on the nave wall.  <a href="https://www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/640fp2j524">www.flickr.com/gp/52219527@N00/640fp2j524</a>

Following major repair works in 2016, the roof has been fully refurbished, and electric lighting is run off solar panels on the roof (sadly, the Victorian gas lamps have been condemned as unsafe) –  There is  Evensong every Sunday at 6pm from Easter to Michaelmas (at the end of September). Through the winter, there are festival services (our Advent and Epiphany Carol Concerts, and the Christmas Day 3pm Carol Service are highlights). There is a popular One Friday Easter Ascent on Good Friday, and the aim is for services at least once a month, all year round.
The church is a popular venue for weddings;

Below the church, on the slopes of the tor, are obvious earthwork remains of an Iron Age enclosure.


Picture with thanks - copyright Victoria Pearce <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=brentor+church+devon&amp;source=hp&amp;ei=Niz-Y6GPIICDhbIP0uO6mAs&amp;iflsig=AK50M_UAAAAAY_46Rj7_mVr0mOlvGwFkM68V0rPmdaQq&amp;ved=0ahUKEwihgozx0bj9AhWAQUEAHdKxDrMQ4dUDCAs&amp;oq=brentor+church+devon&amp;gs_lcp=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&amp;sclient=gws-wiz#lpg=cid:CgIgAQ==,ik:CAoSLEFGMVFpcE1hU3QwRHJHWHlycmlSMTM1cDMzUHdvNEZ4YTNlY3BwelBTYmtu" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.google.co.uk/search?q=brentor+church+devon&amp;source...</a>
brentor church devon