Castle Frome & St. Michael's And All Angels Church
There has been a Christian community coming together in this church building since the 11th
Century. The original Norman church was renovated by the Victorians in 1878 and the black
and white bell turret and porch were added then.
The church is famous for its magnificent Romanesque font which is dated to around 1170.
Visitors come from around the world to see the font and its central depiction of the baptism
of Jesus in the waters of the Jordan. The church is the only community space in the parish.
The active PCC helps to organise community activities during the year including farm walks,
family rounders, picnics in the churchyard, carol singing, coffee mornings, barbecues,
lunches and an annual concert in the church where the talents of those young and old are
celebrated.
The community seeks to be welcoming and neighbourly and to give support in the very best
and also the darkest times of life. The prayer tree is a focal point in the church. There is a
long tradition of lay led worship in Castle Frome.
The monthly family service has an attendance of 20–25 people often spanning three
generations of families. As long standing members of this community, having grown up,
worshipped, got married and had children Christened in Castle Frome Church we wanted
other people to come and view this beautiful setting. We have permission from the PCC to
place the Geocaches, however the caches are not in the Churchyard. This is a joint effort between “Treacles.Trio” and “The Wonder
Webbs”, we are Twin Sisters who have enjoyed geocaching with our families for a few years
now. Because we are twins, we decided to place 2 (one each). They are called “Bossy
Boots” and “Moo Cow”, the affectionate names our Father gave us as Babies !!
History
St Michael’s Church is Norman, built about 1125, probably by a member of the de Lacey
family who arrived after the Norman Conquest. To the north of the church runs a sunken
roadway (green lane) which runs up towards the castle. The chancel arch is Norman. The
three original Norman doorways remain and include a Priest’s door in the south wall of the
chancel. Each has a tympanum (lintel) over it, originally painted with subjects which have
long since worn away. Over the south doorway is a sun-dial of Norman workmanship
marking the canonical hours.
The nave roof is flat with beams, (15th Century) whilst the eastern half of the chancel roof
has a paneled ceiling with bosses at the intersections. The pulpit is late 17th Century.
Under the east window in the south wall of the chancel is a rounded and arched recess
which has been set with medieval tiles with a head at the centre and another on the right
hand side. In the window above is a small sculptured figure clad in mail and holding in his
hands a heart. It is believed that this commemorates a heart burial in one of the recesses
below of one of the de Lacys. Could this have been a Knight who died on a crusade as it
would have been impossible to bring back the body so often the heart was removed and
brought back for burial? The altar rail is 18th Century. The Church underwent major
restoration in 1878 and the black and white bell turret and porch were added then. There are
three medieval bells, one inscribed “Maudillamor”.
The main sculptural interest is the magnificent font and dated around 1170. It is the work of
the Herefordshire School of carvers. The Font stands on carvings of crouching evil creatures
and is meant to represent the power of baptism over evil. Shaped like a chalice it rests on
four human figures who appear to be crushed by its weight. Sadly only the head of one
figure remains in a good state.
Originally the church contained the present west window, two small lights in the north wall of
the nave, two in the south wall, a similar “opening” in the north and south walls of the
chancel (the north one still remains).
The window in the east end of the chancel was added in the 14th Century to give better light
to the altar. In the 16th Century the nave lighting was improved when the present window in
the south wall replaced a smaller Norman one. There are a few fragments of 15th Century
stained glass. It is suggested that the original window was damaged during the English Civil
War and when the window was replaced only a few fragments were left to put back into the
new one.
Against the north wall of the chancel are the recumbent effigies of William Unett and his wife
Margery who died in the early 17th Century. They are in an excellent state of preservation
and carved with intricate detail. The father wears a Cavalier uniform.
Quiz for Co-Ordinates for The Actual Cache
1. Edward John Roberts Rector of Castle Froome ? What was the term of his being Rector, 19A1 - 19B5
2. How Old was he when he died ? CD
3. How Many letters in his wife's name ? E
4. What year did she die ? 197F
N52.0(B+A).(C-B)5(BX2) W002.(E-B)(F+A).4(E+B-D)(C-A)
The total sum of the letter should be 33