Chagford - Church with wild flowers

St Michael the Archangel, Chagford

Chagford is a dynamic and inclusive community, nestled between Nattadon and Meldon Hills, in a spectacular corner of North East Dartmoor. It is a unique and special place to live, work and worship, and attracts a wide array of artists, writers, makers and doers, who have been drawn to a richer natural and spiritual life.

A very busy town, Chagford has many independent shops and services, and includes a library, dentist, doctors’ surgery, pharmacy, grocery stores, Post Office, two community halls, four pubs, several cafés, and much more – with St Michael’s Church at the heart of it all.

But it is the nature on our doorstep that makes the place: the hills, rivers, forests and the great moor itself. It has been well-documented in the press recently that Dartmoor is a precious resource for mental and spiritual well-being and St Michael the Archangel is an integral part of the cure.

The Church

St Michael the Archangel is a Grade 1 listed building surrounded by a picturesque open churchyard, and is full of history from over the centuries since it was dedicated, in 1261.

The church was significantly reordered in 2007 to include flat access to the building, a servery and accessible toilet. A hearing loop is in use during services and the hymnbook is available in large print. The feel of the church is best expressed by visitors’ comments, many of which mention the impression of it being ‘loved’.

Typical service schedule

St Michael’s has a wide range of regular services throughout the month, catering for a broad span of ages and needs. There are generally two services in church each Sunday.

With something on offer for everyone in any given month, services include at least two of Holy Communion (one with the choir), and a less formal Celtic Morning Prayer. There is also an all-age Family Breakfast service held in the Jubilee Hall (opposite the Church), which is a relaxed form of worship combined with coffee and a croissant!

In the evenings, monthly, there is: Choral Evensong (Book of Common Prayer BCP) with the choir; an opportunity to listen to or join in with the chants of the Taizé community; ‘The Well’, a time of stillness, music & space to pray or meditate; and a monthly service of Evening Praise.

Said Holy Communion (BCP) is celebrated on two Wednesday mornings each month, and weekly during Lent and Advent.

During term-time a lively toddler group, ‘Little Angels’, is held in the church.

In most months, the church hosts a ‘Celebrating the Earth’ event organised by the spiritually diverse community, making use of the welcoming atmosphere and excellent acoustics. Aiming to provide information and reflection on a range of environmental issues, recent events have covered “Flowers in nature, art, and well-being” and “The ways the natural world can influence and support creativity”.

Special services during the year include the ‘Sunrise’ service on one of the highest points above the town, on Easter morning, a Service of Remembrance which begins at the War Memorial, and the hugely-popular Christmas Eve Carol Service which (weather permitting) is held in the Town Square. Chagford Church of England Primary School also holds termly services in the church.

Chagford - O ye servants of the Lord
Chagford - Font at Harvest

Upcoming services & events

All services and events across North Dartmoor Parishes.

In the community

St Michael’s is at one end of the Archangel’s Way pilgrimage path, which stretches across Dartmoor to St Michael de Rupe Brentor, in the west. Many pilgrims visit our church as part of this 38-mile route.

Despite its many and varied benefits, Chagford also faces some challenges, and the church is affiliated with several groups which have been formed to support the community. These include the Chagford Pantry (our local foodbank), and the Community & Memory Café (for our older generation).

In addition to the usual church finances, we have a well-used Hardship Fund, and support the following projects:

Use of the church by other organisations

Numerous concerts and performances are hosted at St Michael’s, including the enormously successful Summer Music in the Church programme (weekly lunchtime concerts organised by Friends of St Michael’s during three months throughout the summer). The church also hosts the Whiddon Autumn Festival, with world-class vocal and chamber music by young artists, and the prestigious Two Moors Festival each autumn. It has also been transformed into the battlefield of Agincourt and an Athenian Forest (among others) for productions of Shakespeare’s plays.

Chagford - Flower Festival for Platinum Jubilee
Chagford - Family Breakfast service

Contact us

For matters relating to the Church, including inquiries re baptisms/christenings, weddings, funerals, or other events, please contact:

You can connect via:

Otherwise, please use the information on the Contact Us or Safeguarding pages.

How to find us

Chagford is served by two bus routes: 173 Moretonhampstead-Exeter and 178 Newton Abbot-Okehampton, both of which connect with national rail services. There is a long-stay car park near the church.

Accessibility

  • Flat access to the building
  • Accessible toilet
  • Hearing loop during services
  • Hymn book available in large print

We very much look forward to welcoming you!

Chagford - Easter Dawn on Nattadon Hill