The Church is built in a valley called Nansent, the Holy Valley.
1259-24th September Church dedicated to "St Briocus" one of the saints who originated in Ireland and came to Cornwall by way of Wales. He died in Brittany in about 530.
The 13th century church was of cruciform shape, however all that remains of this in the present day church are parts of the tower, the walls at the west end and possibly part of the wall to the right of the High Altar.
1318- 11th July High Altar dedicated by Bishop Stapelton. At this time the records gave the title "Eglisie Sancti Brioci de Nansant alias Pouton with Trefos, Wadbridge" and later as "Pawton". (Pawton was the name of the manor centred on the present farm of that name, 1.5 miles west of the church, once the seat of the Bishop of Exeter).
You can find a coffin stone in the floor of the chancel, carved with a cross and a face at the top of it dating from the days when Norman influence was waning.
15th Century-Church substantially enlarged. The Font made of stone from the Padstow cliffs dates from this time.
There is a fine Alabastor Reredos with scenes of the Nativity and the Adoration.
There is also a huge slate monument, more than 12 feet high, showing a glittering array of painted arms, a great shield at the top and 25 small ones. With them are knelling figures of a lady and a knight of 1598, and little pictures of Eve with an apple and Adam with a skull, Life and Death.
You can also find a splendid set of brasses, one of which is the family of Charles Tredeneck, he in the fur-trimmed gown with wide sleeves which he wore in the days of Queen Elizabeth; she is in a long gown girdled at the waist, and two groups of 12 children in neat little rows.
1677-Church extensively rebuilt. This was because it had fallen into a state of disrepair, no doubt aggravated by the conditions of the Commonwealth period. The estimated cost was £1050, but an appeal to other Cornish Churches only raised £10. However, John Tregeagle, the son of the legendary rogue "Jan" Tregeagle, and some friends gave substantial help to supplement the church rates which were levied at the time.
Jan Tregeagle is buried here, the wicked steward of Lord Robartes in the 17th century, who ground the faces of the poor. All Cornwall knows Jan Tregeagle. They say his memory flits about St Breock Downs even when it is gold with gorse in the spring and purple with heather in the Autumn, for he sold his soul to the devil, and his uneasy spirit was doomed to spin ropes of sand and bail out bottomless pools with a leaking limpet shell.
1881-Restoration Pitch pine pews and ceiling added.
1932-Post reformation plaster stripped off and stonework pointed.
1965-Major flood with 4 ft 9 inches (1.45m) of water inside. In the subsequent restoration the pews were treated, the sanctuary slightly extended, a row of choir stalls was moved from each side of the chancel and the altar brought forward.
1982-The South Transept was made a Chapel of St Michael.