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To fund the renovation of the six bells and to install a kitchen area and lavatory
The Story of St Michael’s, Musbury
For more than 800 years, St Michael’s Church has stood at the heart of Musbury, watching generations come and go while remaining a constant place of worship, memory, celebration and community life.
The first known Rector of St Michael’s was appointed in 1204, although much of the church seen today dates from the fifteenth century. Its commanding tower was built around 1420 and still rises above the village as a familiar landmark, visible across the surrounding East Devon countryside. The church is Grade I listed, recognising its exceptional architectural and historic importance.
Step inside and the story continues. One of the church’s greatest treasures is the remarkable Drake family monument, begun in 1611. The monument remembers members of the Drake family who lived nearby at Ashe House and gives visitors a fascinating connection with the people, wealth and culture of earlier centuries. St Michael’s is not simply an old building. It is a place where the history of the village can still be discovered, touched and experienced.
High in the tower hangs a peal of six bells dating from 1785. For more than two centuries they have rung out across Musbury, calling people to worship and marking weddings, funerals, festivals and important village occasions. Bellringers continue to practise, usually on Tuesday evenings, and new ringers can be trained in this ancient and highly skilled tradition.
The bells now need major refurbishment. Without specialist work, Musbury risks losing a sound that has been part of village life for generations. Restoring the bells will protect an important part of the church’s heritage and ensure that their voice continues to be heard far into the future.
St Michael’s is also a busy living church. It is usually open every day from 9.00am until 4.00pm and holds regular Sunday services. Musbury Primary School, although not a church school, regularly uses the building for assemblies and end of term events. Concerts and community gatherings take place within its walls, while visitors come to explore its architecture, monuments and links with the Drake family.
However, the church has no lavatory and lacks a suitable servery for preparing refreshments. These are basic facilities that most people now reasonably expect, especially families, older visitors, schoolchildren, musicians and those attending longer services or cultural events.
A new servery and lavatory would allow St Michael’s to offer warm hospitality, support concerts and school events, welcome visitors for longer periods and serve the congregation and wider community more effectively. It would help transform a beautiful historic church into an even more accessible and useful village space.
The challenge is considerable. The bell refurbishment and the servery and lavatory project are each expected to cost around £80,000, including VAT (£160,000). Funds have already been raised, £40,000, but much more is needed.
St Michael’s has served Musbury for centuries. By restoring its bells and providing essential modern facilities, we can honour its extraordinary past while giving it an exciting and sustainable future for the Community, the School, the bellringers, Researchers and of course visitors discovering the culture of the Country.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 9th October 2026 at 8:21am