PARRACOMBE CHURCHES
Church of England: Diocese of Exeter
Parish church: Christ Church
This church was built in 1878 at a cost of £4,000 to replace the old church of St Petrock, which had been condemned as unsafe. The new church is in a more central position in the village. It is built in an Early English style with a pinnacled tower, south porch, nave, north aisle of three bays and chancel. The stained glass windows are memorials. One depicts St Petrock, whom legend associates with Parracombe. There are good views across the valley to Holwell Castle, a Norman motte and bailey fort.
Churches Conservation Trust: St Petrock's
St Petrock’s stands above main part of the village, at Churchtown. It is a modest mediaeval building, with a remarkably preserved Georgian interior, with furnishings that have hardly changed in 200 years. The undulating slate floors and leaning arcade add considerable character.
The oldest part of the building is Norman, as is the font. Further building took place throughout the Middle Ages, the chancel dating from the 13th century, the nave from 1450 and the south aisle and porch from the early 16th century. Some of the plain pews may also be from the 16th century. There are rails round three sides of the altar, the Ten Commandments painted on board above a 15th century screen, a three-tier pulpit with reading desk, box pews, and musicians’ seats raised on steps at the west end. St Petrock’s is believed to have been the last church in Devon in which the singing was supported by a band of musicians. In one pew a piece has been cut out to allow room for the bow of a bass viol.
In 1879 there was a proposal to pull the church down because of fears for its stability, and to build a new one on the same site. John Ruskin led the protests and sent a £10 cheque to support the preservation of the church. The objections were successful and the church was saved, with considerable work having been undertaken since then to preserve the fabric of the building. The church was closed for restoration between 1971 and 1972.
Methodist
Former Methodist chapel
There were regular Methodist meetings in Parracombe in the 1830s and a chapel was built in 1839 in the main [part of the village. It is a plain and sturdy pebble-dashed building. Services were held until the 1990s and it has now been converted to a cottage.