St Michael and All Angels’ Church has been rebuilt a number of times. It is one of the oldest Christian sites in Exeter.
There has been a church here since at least 1152, and possibly a sacred site for even longer, judging by the age of the yew tree near the church door. This yew has been designated one of the 50 Great British Trees.
The present church dates to the 1840s. The tower took a little longer and was only dedicated in 1890. However, most of the walls around the churchyard are older and of Heavitree Stone. In fact, some of the stones in the wall between the old and new graveyard are thought to be from the old church, thrown together with fragments of old tiles and other materials.
Next to the church, beyond the north boundary wall, was the site of the Heavitree Brewery, which only ceased brewing in 1970.
Source:
- Our own ready-made Heavitree Stone Trail 1: Heavitree.