The area of Mount Dinham itself is situated within a busy and thriving area, within sight of the north west of Exeter’s ancient Roman city wall. John Dinham was a local philanthropist who came from humble beginnings. Born at Kenton on the 5 August 1788, his father was the farm bailiff at Powderham Castle, the ancestral home of the Earl of Devon. As a young man he worked as a grocer, for a chemist, and in the silver trade unsuccessfully. Following the death of his first wife, he married again in 1831 and became a member of the Church of England. Subsequently, his fortunes changed and he transformed a tea importing business with the helpf of his friends.

He became a wealthy philanthropist and founded several developments on Mount Dinham to provide for the inhabitants of the city. These included the Alms houses, a school and St Michael’s church itself.  He built forty two Free Cottages above Weir Cliff, in 1860, as retirement homes for the poor. Today, St Michael’s has links with all of the local organisations you see on this page, and more. Click on the images of our neighbours below to find out more about them. Please contact us if you are one of our neighbours and you would like to be listed here, or come and visit us at St Michael’s.