A WEST Devon church, although officially 'redundant', will be celebrating its 200th birthday this summer, with a variety of events that prove it is still very much part of the community.

St Michael's and All Angels at Princetown was founded by Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt in the 19th century, to serve the prison housing those unfortunate souls captured during the Napoleonic Wars between 1803 and 1815.

Work on St Michael's was started in 1812 — both French and American prisoners of war helped to construct the church, which was built in a plain, spare style.

The prisoners were paid sixpence a day for their labours and the church was finally completed in 1815. The first divine service took place in January 1814.

Although the war prison closed in 1815, the church survived, largely due to the fact the community continued to thrive as the prison re-opened for convicts in 1850.

Although affected by fire in 1868, St Michael's was restored, and even expanded in the early part of the 20th century, when the east end was enlarged and a new roof, supported by arches, was constructed.

Unfortunately these arches now obscure the plaque on the church's north aisle dedicated to Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, who did so much to make Princetown the village it is today.

Sadly however, towards the end of the the last century, congregations grew ever smaller, to the point that services were held in the vestry, instead of the main church.

And in 1994, with the high cost of maintenance, St Michael's, classed as Grade II* Listed, was officially declared redundant, holding less than five services a year. The old building was transferred to the care of the Churches Conservation Trust in 2000.

The trust has carried out extensive repairs at St Michael's — yet in its 200th anniversary year, perhaps its biggest challenge is still to be met — the replacement of the magnificent stained glass window in the east wall of the chancel.

The window was installed in 1910, a gift from the 'National Society of United States Daughters of 1812'. It commemorates the American prisoners of war held in Princetown between 1813 and 1815, of whom, it is believed, 271 died within the prison walls. The window depicts scenes from the life of Christ, culminating in his passion, resurrection and ascension.

Thomasin Westcott, of the Churches Conservation Trust, said: 'It's a really fabulous window and it has some wonderful detail in it, but the window is deteriorating and the whole thing needs to come out and be treated.

'It's suffering from weather and age and it's going to cost around £100,000 to renovate.

'Local people raised about £2,000 last year which is fantastic, but we are having to look hard for funding — and it needs to be done within five years.'

Currently, sensor equipment is working inside the building, measuring the atmosphere in an effort to calculate the best way to treat and conserve the window.

Thomasin said the church also suffers very badly from the damp, moorland climate — another problem which the Churches Conservation Trust needs to address.

But she said that despite the issues facing St Michael's, it was a very special building.

'It's the only church in England to have been built by prisoners — there are a couple of chapels, but no churches.

'And even though it's only 200 years old, it has had a lot of the type of changes that, say, a Norman church would have had. It's very atmospheric.'

Occasional services can be held at St Michael's — and its most popular one is held at Christmas.

Thomasin said: 'The Christmas carol service here is my favourite one in Devon.

'It's always completely packed and the atmosphere is wonderful, despite the fact it's normally about minus two degrees and absolutely freezing in here! People really enjoy it, it's wonderful.'

It is to be hoped that same community spirit will be seen when events are staged to celebrate St Michael's 200th birthday.

During April, a recreation of the Palm Sunday service, recorded by local artist Greg Newman, could be heard daily at the church — although this spooked several passers-by who heard the singing, yet knew full-well the building was empty!

Exeter Cathedral Choir will be celebrating evensong at the church on May 13 and on June 16, a special tea-party will be held there between 10am and 4pm, to which all are very welcome — and at which there will be a 'fabulous array of cakes'.

And on Friday, August 31, there will be a history talk by Richard Parker, who will describe St Michael's fascinating origins.

Church volunteer Pam Law, who holds the key to the church for visiting purposes, said she hoped plenty of people would come along to the party and take the opportunity to visit this fascinating building.

Pam said: 'Until recently we have only been open on Sundays, but from now we will be open daily, on an unmanaged basis. People always say how glad they are to see it open — and when they have seen it, they always say what a lovely church it is, and what a shame it is that it's not used.'

Pam said she and others are hoping to start a rota system to enable the daily opening, and the building was now suitable for unaccompanied visits.

'It's now as safe and secure as possible — and no-one can get in to the tower, because it is extremely high!' said Pam.