A MAJOR archaeological find has been discovered in a historic West Devon church.

A community project at St James' Church in Jacobstowe has uncovered the remains of an ancient structure under the floor of the church.

Members of the team working at the church believe this could be evidence that the church may date back much further than originally realised.

Excavations at St James have unearthed the ruins of the church's former eastern limit and an incredibly rare western apse formation. There are only two other examples of a western apse in Britain — at Canterbury Cathedral and at Langford in Sussex.

An apse is a semicircular or polygonal termination to the choir, chancel or aisle of a church building.

First used in pre-Christian Roman architecture, the apse often functioned as an enlarged niche to hold the statue of a deity in a temple.

The discovery is thought to show that the church could date back as far as Celtic and pre-Saxon times.

The church's Listed status on the National Heritage List for England dates St James as far back as the 12th century, with the main fabric of the church dating back to the 15th century.

Rod Lane, who is leading the excavations, said the discovery could be described as one of the most significant pieces of church archaeology for many years.

He said: 'This sort of archaeological find is as rare as hen's teeth as far as church archaeology is concerned.

'This takes our knowledge of the development of church history in the South West much further than is currently known.'

'It takes our church history right back to before the Norman Conquest and into the Anglo-Saxon period and possibly into Celtic times.

 'The "stowe" element in the name Jacobstowe suggests an Anglo-Saxon version of "Lann" or "Eglos" in Cornish language, indicating a "Holy Place" or special place, so what was here to make the Saxons in the early 8th century give it the suffix "stowe"? Was it a Celtic church or oratory?

'We know that Irish monks were coming to the Westcountry in the 5th to 7th centuries, so perhaps they came here too and formed a Christian community.

'We know too that our churchyard is deemed to be pre-Saxon.'

The excavation work was carried out by members of the community during works to replace the church's pew platforms which had rotted out, exposing the western apse and foundations.

Team vicar the Rev Ruth Hansford said: 'It is always a real opportunity when you do major work on a church to uncover a bit of its history.

'To discover this on this sacred site builds a real sense of worship and community that these series of buildings represent. It is really exciting.

'It is good that it is all being recorded, even if it will be covered up again, just so we know more about our lovely little church.

'It is lovely to have such interest from English Heritage and archaeologists in our very little church, St James.

'It may be a small church we have in Jacobstowe, but we have proven it has a big history.'

This project is being supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Devon Historic Churches Trust and a local charity.

The church is holding an open day on Sunday, March 29 between 2pm and 4pm to allow people who may be interested to see these remains and to engage with their heritage before they are covered up, possibly never to be seen again.

Anyone wanting to find out more information can e-mail Mr Lane on [email protected]">[email protected]