Saint Clement Townstal - Dartmouth

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Details: Telephone: 01803 835543

Description: The mother church of Dartmouth is the church of Saint Clement Townstal; and stands some 350ft above the main town, on the narrow tract which, since ancient times, has been a right-of-way from the coast through Longcross to the River Dart crossing at Hardnesse. Its south side, sunk below the level of the graveyard, seems to cower from the winds that must have buffeted the hill-top settlement. Tunstal or Dunestal meaning "the walled clearing, or homestead on the hill" is mentioned as a manor held by Walter de Douai in the Domesday Book. Townstal is a Saxon word. The church building is of a beautiful and stately character and has many interesting and unusual features. The present fabric dates partly from the 13th Century with some Norman traces. The transepts are of great length, that on the North being 33ft and that on the South 31ft. The Altar is unique. It dates from James I and may have replaced an older stone Altar. The font is of Purbeck stone and dates from the 13th or possibly early 14th Century. The modern lid is of wood. It would appear that at one time there was undoubtedly a rood beam in the fine Chancel arch. A modern carved wooden Crucifix painted and gilded hangs in the Chancel arch and provides some colour.