A SPECIAL event has marked the end of a project to restore a Dartmoor church's stained glass window. St Michael and All Angels' church at Princetown is the only church in England to have been built by prisoners of war. Sailors captured during wars with France and America in the early 19th century were held in Dartmoor prison and paid sixpence every three months to build the church that served the prison community. In 1904 a magnificent commemorative glass window was gifted to St Michael's church by descendants of American servicemen in honour of more than 200 American prisoners who perished while incarcerated — many of whom are buried in the churchyard. June saw the completion of 'A Window in Time', a year-long project to restore the weathered window. The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT), the national charity that cares for St Michael's, has marked the successful return of the window with a celebratory event for the local community and international visitors last week. More than 80 guests attended a special service led by the Rev Nick Shutt, including Tavistock mayor Cllr Harry Smith, Plymouth's Honorary French Consul Alain Sibiril, officers of the Royal Navy and members of the National Society US Daughters of 1812, the American organisation that originally gifted the window. Pupils from Princetown Primary School, who took part in the conservation of the window, also took part in the day. Sophie Shotter, teaching assistant at Princetown Primary School, said: 'A Window In Time at St Michael's church gave the children a unique opportunity to be involved in a community building in a creative, hands-on way. 'To learn about and experience first hand the craft techniques that go into a building like this is something the children wouldn't normally have the chance to do.' Virginia Apyar, president of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812, added: 'We are absolutely delighted that this remarkable, one-of-a-kind window has been saved for future generations. 'It has been a real pleasure to see the window being enjoyed by local people and used as creative inspiration by young people from the school. 'Our thanks go to The Churches Conservation Trust for their wonderful work to make this happen.' Peace prayers were followed by refreshments, church tours and a preview of the church's brand new visitor interpretation panel, which explains the history of England's prisoner of war church. St Michael and All Angels' church is open daily to visitors. For more information visit the website at http://www.visitchurches.org.uk">www.visitchurches.org.uk