The current building is thought to be situated where St Petroc sheltered during his stays in this area, the ancient West Devonshire village of Lydford, St Petrock’s (sometimes pronounced ‘Petroc’) is a Norman church but is founded on an earlier settlement. A small timber church probably stood on the site, built about 650AD. It was dedicated in honour of St. Petroc, a 6th century Celtic missionary who came from Wales (via Ireland) and brought the Gospel to many parts of Devon and Cornwall. The timber church was probably burnt down by Danish raiders in 997. It was rebuilt in Norman times, enlarged in the 13th century, and in the 15th century the tower and the south aisle were added.

Notable features of the church include the Saxon or early Norman Font, made of Hurdwick stone, the pews with their fine carved bench-ends with figures representing the Prophets, Martyrs and Saints of the Holy Church, border ornamentation based on the Benedicite: ‘All the works of the Lord’, and portraying the flora and fauna of the West Country. The Watchmaker’s Tomb (now sited inside the church to prevent further damage from the elements) bears a unique epitaph describing George Routleigh as if he were a clock himself.