The village of Lilleshall dates back to Saxon times. Tradition
has it that the name comes from "Lilla's Hill", named after Lilla
who was a devoted servant of Edwin, King of Northumbria. It is
thought that in AD 670, while on one of his missionary journeys, St
Chad (who was to become the very first Bishop of Lichfield) came to
Lilla's Hill and told those who lived here the Good News about
Jesus Christ. Those who became Christians as a result built a place
in which to worship. This original church was a small Saxon
building on the site of the present-day building.
The present church building was originally built in about 1200
and dedicated to St Michael and All Angels. Parts of the nave are
late Norman, the chancel Early English and the north aisle was
added in about 1300. The tub-shaped font is Norman and may be as
early as 900. Tradition has it that it came from the nearby
Lilleshall Abbey.
A major restoration was carried out in 1856 when the appearance
of the building must have changed quite dramatically. Galleries and
two dormer windows were removed and the font was put in its present
position. The extensive work meant that the building had to be
closed for worship for a few months. A plaque on the north wall
commemorates the reopening of the restored and re-ordered
building.
The Church has a fine two-manual organ which was installed in
1891. It was completely rebuilt in 1960. Major work was undertaken
in 2003 which included the fitting of a new blower and electric
action to the pedal board.