Church of St Michael De Rupe, Church in Brentor, England
The Church of St Michael de Rupe is a small stone church sitting on top of an extinct volcanic cone called Brent Tor in Brentor, England. It has a square tower built in the 14th century, with a battlemented top, a porch on the north side, and doorways on both sides of the building.
The first church on this site was built around 1130 by Robert Giffard, a local landowner whose family came to England with William the Conqueror. The building was expanded in the 14th century and remained under the care of Tavistock Abbey until Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in 1539.
Many churches on high ground in England are dedicated to St Michael, the patron saint of elevated places, and there are nearly 800 churches named after him across the country. The east window inside shows him holding a sword and scales, which visitors can see during any open visit.
The church is reached by a steep path from the car park, and the uneven ground can be difficult for anyone with limited mobility. Sturdy footwear is recommended, especially in wet or windy weather, as the hilltop is exposed.
The tower carries a stone sundial from the late 1600s topped by a strange carved figure that looks part angel and part demon. The roof was fitted with solar panels in 2016, so the church now runs entirely on off-grid electricity, something rare for a building of its age.
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