"The Candle" of Dartmoor

A tiny church, lots of myths and legends, various versions of how the tiny church became to be built...

Once upon a time there was a settlement at the bottom of the tor. The pagan inhabitants worshiped the Devil. Becoming Christians, they decided to build a church. Legend has it that the church was originally to be built on safe ground, at the bottom of the Tor. But the Prince of Darkness was not too happy to be losing his followers. He waited until the church was finished and then he perched it precariously on the top of the tor. The people decided to leave it there and that they would endure the steep climb to the top. St. Michael beat off this devil spirit hurling rock after rock down upon him (version dated to the 12th century).

And my favourite version:

A wealthy merchant was caught in a storm off the coast of Devon. Apparently, at the time the devil was getting bored and he decided to create a terrible storm and wreck a ship or two :)) In return of his rescue the merchant promised to build a church on the first and highest land he saw. The ship was delivered safely to port. The first high land the merchant saw was Beacon tor otherwise known as Brent tor.

As promised the merchant began on building a church on the tor. The devil saw what was going on and every night he would go to the top of the tor and kick down any building work done thus far. This went on for many days. Finally, with St. Michael's help, the merchant completed the building and it is said that this church is the smallest on Dartmoor due to the fact that the merchant had wasted most of his fortune during the struggle with the devil and the church was built with what little money he had left.

According to this version the church is known to the moorfolk as 'The Candle' in memory of the beacon that once stood there.

I think 'The Candle' is a lovely name for this church :)