Located on the S side of West Street near the marketplace in the town of Tavistock, in the valley of the River Tavy on the W side of Dartmoor. The Benedictine abbey church of Tavistock once stood immediately to the S but only a cloister arch now remains standing.
The large perpendicular church was mostly rebuilt in the 15th c. of local green Hurdwick stone with some shale. The W tower is 90' high. Alterations over the centuries have left the original ground plan intact and some period features.
Probable performance venue. In the mid-16th c. churchwardens' accounts survive with payments to touring players. Tavistock did not acquire a guildhall until the 19th c. so the parish church was likely the best performance space available in town.
Still the principal parish church in Tavistock, open at specified times and for services.
1318 2nd parish church on the site dedicated.
late 14th c. Church deteriorating and largely rebuilt.
1447 Clothworkers' aisle completed.
1539 Abbey lands and advowson of the parish church granted to Sir John Russell at the Dissolution.
later 16th c. Rood screen removed
1640s Windows broken during the Civil War.
1844--6 Renovations by the architect John Hayward. Monuments and murals removed, exposing stone walls. New pews added.
1900 3 marble steps added in front of the chancel altar, replacing a stone step.
1902 Floor replaced.
1935 3 cross pews removed at the E end of the Clothworkers' aisle to convert the space into the present chapel.
1951 NE chapel renovated.
1952 Choir stalls moved to 2nd chancel bay to accommodate new central altar.
1965 SE (Lady) chapel renovated.
REED Devon 279
