Tower Of Former Church Of St Mary Immediately West Of Dartington Hall

The tower of the former Church of St Mary stands immediately west of Dartington Hall. It probably dates from the 13th century, with the upper stage likely being added in the 15th century. The rest of the church was demolished around 1878, with materials reused in the construction of the new Church of St Mary, designed by J L Pearson and located approximately 1.2 kilometers to the west.

The tower is built of rendered stone rubble with granite coping and a string course. It has a square plan without buttresses and a slight inward batter. The tall first stage has string courses marking the bell stage and below the moulded battlements of the parapet. There are three-light square-headed bell openings on the east and north sides, while the south and west sides feature two-light 4-centred arch head openings. A granite three-light window with Early English lancet tracery is situated on the west side, along with a moulded granite two-centred arch doorway. A stair turret on the east end of the north side is square, with a splayed northwest corner, battlements, slit windows, and a two-centred arch doorway on its east side at the base. The east side of the tower features a tall, now blocked, two-centred archway, with cement mouldings. A slate sundial with an iron gnomon is located on the south side.

Inside the tower, a large monument to Sir Arthur Champernowne, who died in 1578, is on the north side. It features fluted pilasters and a later entablature with a neo-classical frieze. An inscription on the panel has been painted over, while below it are figures in prayer and panels displaying armorial bearings supporting the cornice. A monument to Henry Champernowne, who died in 1650, is on the east wall, showcasing an aedicule flanked by Ionic columns with an entablature and arms above. A further monument to Rawlin Champernowne is positioned above. Three other monuments are on the south wall.

The church was possibly founded in the 13th century by the Fitzmartins as a rural oratory on their manor. Sir Nicholas Fitzmartin was the patron and first rector in 1261. An account from 1849 describes the church as having a chancel, two chantries, nave, north and south aisles, a south porch, and a western tower. A 1852 restoration revealed foundations of an earlier transepted church, indicating the original plan included a nave, transepts, chancel, and west tower. The lower stage of the tower likely belongs to this early church, while the upper stage was potentially added during the 15th century, alongside the aisles, by the Holand Dukes of Exeter. Kebble and Newman preached at the church during their stay at the parsonage, now Old Postern.