Back in the early 1800s Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt had amongst others, a dream that Princetown would have a prison along church to serve the growing community. The prison was to house prisoners of war from the Napoleonic war and construction of this project began in 1806. However, it was several years before work on the church commenced and as will be seen later it was amidst some controversy.
Today the church is classified as redundant and since 2000 has been placed in the care of The Churches Conservation Trust. However, just because the place is no longer a place of regular worship it does not mean that there is not plenty of fascinating history attached to it. Firstly, the church is unique insomuch as it is the only church in the UK whose structure was built by French and American prisoners of war.
Following the closure of the war prison the church of St. Michael served the surrounding area which meant a much reduced flock when compared to the anticipated five to six hundred worshipers and so its doors were also shut. However in 1831 the local population had increased and so the doors were once again opened for worship and the place re-consecrated.
In 1850 the old prison was reopened to become a normal convict prison which meant that once again Princetown began to flourish as did the church’s flock. In 1860 the church was granted the faculty for performing marriage which meant the full range of services could be held, baptisms, marriages and burials. In 1862 the Rev. Morris Fuller took over the running of the church and eight years later was confronted with disaster when in 1868 a fire virtually gutted the church resulting in the loss of most of its internal fittings and furniture. Over the next eight years the church underwent a process of restoration which was overseen by a Mr. R. M. Fulford. However due to lack of funds this work was not of the best standard and by 1905 the large east wall was in danger of total collapse. Fortunately in 1908 a New York newspaper ran with the story of the church’s plight and how it was American labour that partly build it along with the urgent need for funds. The story was picked up by a Mrs. Slade who at the time was president of the ‘National Society of United Daughters of 1812’. The main concern of this society was to commemorate the American men who lost their lives in the war of 1812. Mrs Slade began an appeal to the three thousand odd members of the society who managed to raise the sum of £250. This money was donated in order for a commissioned memorial window to be installed whilst presumably renovating the east wall at the same time. In the June of 1910 the work was completed and a special service was held to unveil the window. Mrs Slade came over from America as the official representative of the society carry out the unveiling.
Stage 1
George Palmer
Born 14 February 18A1
Died 1B June 19C4
After DE Years of Faithful Service
Stage 2
Mary Amelia
Called Home Nov 1F 193G Aged 7H Years
N 50° 32.(A+D)(G-E)(H-A) W 003° 59.(B+F)(G-C)(E+D)
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