A church building has stood at the top of Bovey Tracey since Saxon times, and may have been burnt down in a Viking raid. The present building is mostly medieval. Bovey’s most infamous son, Sir William Tracey was one of the four knights commanded by King Henry II to murder Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1170. His family rebuilt the church in penance for his crimes. Despite some damage during the Civil War many fine medieval features such as the rood screen remain. The church was further extended in the 19th Century by Canon Courtenay who also founded the church of St John the Evangelist at the southern end of the town.
BUILDING HISTORY
The Organ
The Church’s fine 3 manual organ, was installed in 1889
The East Window
The East Window, installed in 1950, hangs over the altar, and is here photographed from between the choir stalls.
The stained glass window pictures St Peter, Paul, Thomas and George, either side of Christ.
The Rood Screen
One of the oldest elements of the church building, the rood screen was donated by Margeret de Beaufort in 1471.
The screen is here photographed from between the choir stall, looking out on the Nave.