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Summary

Parish church largely rebuilt in 1878-80 but which retains its 14th century north aisle and 15th century tower. It is suggested that Buckfast Abbey may have had an oratory here in the Saxon period.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II*) 1333084: CHURCH OF ST PETROCK

Other References/Statuses

• Church of England HER: 5337
• National Monuments Record: SS50NW8
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS50NW/7
• Old Listed Building Ref (II*)

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• PARISH CHURCH (Built, XIV to XIX - 1301 AD (Between) to 1880 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1880-1899, First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch map (Cartographic). SDV336179.

Marked at St. Petrock's Church (Rectory).

Reichel, O. J., 1898, The Domesday Churches of Devon, 310 (Article in Serial). SDV863.

It is suggested that Buckfast Abbey may have had an oratory here in the Saxon period, at the time of Domesday at least.

Chanter, J. F., 1910, Christianity in Devon before AD 909, 489, 492 (Article in Serial). SDV870.

Dedication to Celtic saint noted. Petrockstow was the property of the abbey of Buckfast.

Crosse, W. E. C., 1916 - 1917, Church Bands - St. Petrock Stow Church Band, 161-4 (Article in Serial). SDV9598.

An account is given of 19th-century music-making in the church. Also memorial brass to Rolle family noted.

Clarke, K. M., 1922, The Baptismal Fonts of Devon. Part 9, 218 (Article in Serial). SDV155954.

Pevsner, N., 1952, The Buildings of England: North Devon, 134-135 (Monograph). SDV336196.

Buttressed west tower with pinnacles.3-bay arcade separates nave from north aisle. Jacobean pulpit, stained glass, church plate and brass memorials also noted.

Hoskins, W. G., 1954, A New Survey of England: Devon, 452 (Monograph). SDV17562.

Petrockstow parish church, dedicated to St. Petrock. Rebuilt in 1870-1880, except for tower and 14th century north arcade. Font of about 1300 and some medieval glass in the vestry.

Ravenhill, W. L. D., 1954, Settlement in Devon in the Dark Ages, 65 (Article in Serial). SDV864.

An original example of a church sited on a spur, believed to be an indication of its original Celtic foundation. Other details: Fig 1.

Department of Environment, 1959, Torrington RD Provisional List, 11 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV118.

West tower 15th century, north nave arcade 14th century. Font circa 1300 with Jacobean cover.

Department of Environment, 1988, Petrockstowe, 35 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV867.

Church of St Petrock. C14 aisle and C15 tower, the rest rebuilt in 1878-80 by J. F. Gould, architect and Medland and Grant of Torrington, builders. Roughly coursed stone rubble walls with granite quoins to tower. Gable-ended slate roofs. Nave, north and south aisles, south porch and west tower. Three stage crenallated tower. Old glass in vestry window. See DoE list for full details.

Cherry, B. + Pevsner, N., 1989, The Buildings of England: Devon, 627 (Monograph). SDV325629.

Historic England, 2024, Church of St Petroc, Brandise Hill, Petrockstow, Devon (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV365944.

Notification that Historic England are considering amending the list entry for the Church of St Petroc, which is now redundant, as part of a strategic project to help address buildings on the Heritage at Risk Register in the south-west. They have completed a consultation report setting out the factual information on which their recommendation will be based.
Petrockstowe is recorded in the Domesday Book at which time it was owned by the Abbot of Buckfast. There was a small church building here in the early 12th century and until the Reformation the parish priest was appointed by the Abbot of Buckfast. The church was altered/rebuilt in the 14th century with the tower being added in the 15th century, both phases incorporating reused Norman fabric. It was largely rebuilt in 1878-80 by J. F. Gould.
Built of slate rubble stone under a slate roof with Hatherleigh stone and granite quoins, and sandstone, granite and Hatherleigh stone dressings. The interior has 19th century wagon-style roofs with carved bosses by Harry Hems and a coloured quarry tiled floor. Features include a Norman font with a 16th century oak cover and a 17th century pulpit.
See report for full details.

Historic England, 2024, Church of St Petroc, Brandise Hill, Petrockstow, Devon (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV366159.

Notification that the listing entry for the church has been amended. It was recommended for amendment for the following principal reasons:
Clarity - an updated List entry should be issued to help clarify the special architectural and historic interest of the building.
Formatting - the proposed List entry should be revised in line with current standards of format and drafting.

Ordnance Survey, 2024, Mastermap 2024 (Cartographic). SDV365834.

Marked as St Petrock's Church.

Historic England, 2024, National Heritage List for England, 1333084 (National Heritage List for England). SDV365835.

Summary
Parish church, now redundant; largely rebuilt, except for the C15 tower and reusing some C14 fabric, between 1878 and 1880 by JF Gould.
Reasons for Designation
The Church of St Petroc, Petrockstowe which was largely rebuilt between 1878 and 1880 by JF Gould, is listed at Grade II* for the following principal reasons:
Architectural interest: * the church retains C15 fabric in its tower and restored north and south aisle windows, and C14 fabric internally; * the C19 rebuilding of the church, executed by a notable local architect, is sensitive to the earlier fabric; * the church has many significant early fittings, including a Norman pedestal piscina and font, C16 font cover and C17 pulpit; * the C19 carving by Harry Hems and the stained-glass windows by Kempe are also of good quality craftsmanship and design.
Historic interest: * as a good example of a church established as a station to St Petroc, and the settlement which developed around it; * for its early patronage from notable local families including the Rolles and Yeos, and in the C19 the Barons Clinton.
See listing description for full details.
Date first listed: 3rd October 1960. Date of most recent amendment: 3rd October 2024

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events: none recorded

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