26 September 2011 

 

The iconic church of St Michael, Brent Tor, will be celebrating St Michael’s day this coming Sunday, 2 October, with no less than two special services.

 

The church, which has stood on top of Brent Tor for 800 years, is dedicated to St Michael in common with many churches in high places across Britain and Europe.  Churches in high places are so dedicated because St Michael, as the archangel, or chief of angels, is at the ‘top’ or ‘height’ of heaven.

 

In past centuries, St Michael’s day has been celebrated on top of Brent Tor with a fair lasting for several days: this Sunday’s celebrations may be more modest, but celebrations nonetheless.

 

At 9.45 am, there will be family service on the theme of St Michael in Christ Church, the church ‘down the bottom’, in the centre of Brentor village.  Then at 6 pm, there will be a service of holy communion ‘up the top’ at St Michael’s on the tor.

 

The Reverend Michael Brierley, who is responsible for the churches in Brent Tor parish, said, ‘St Michael’s church maintains a marvellous pattern of weekly evening services up on the tor, from Easter right through to St Michael’s day.  This is known to visitors far and wide, as well as locals, and each week we have a wonderful congregation up there, sometimes with as many dogs as people.  It will be very special to round off the 2011 season of evening services with this celebration of holy communion to mark St Michael’s day  -  I hope that everyone knows that they are extremely welcome to attend.’