A micro cache close to St Michael's Church. Near to a popular cycle route and dog walking area so please watch out for muggles!Parking available in layby in front of church. The churchyard contains 6 Commonwealth War Memorials.
The oldest part of the Church is Early English, which is known since there is a pillar supporting the south aisle roof which is 13th century. The small Church was rebuilt in 14th-15th centuries, though an extension built in the early 1900’s made the church much bigger. The older part, including the ancient nave, along with the south aisle and chancel (now a side chapel) is clear to spot with its lower roof and smaller windows. The ancient chancel is now used as a Lady Chapel, but before the extension in the 1900s, this is where the main altar would have been.
In 1910, an east window was installed here (in the current Lady Chapel) by the artist Herbert W. Bryans to the memory of Joseph Smethurst. The window shows ‘The Agony in the Garden’ as the Angel succours Jesus with the cup. Jesus’ disciples to the right are asleep and Judas (complete with a black halo) and the soldiers are approaching from the left. In the lower right corner is a small dog, which is the signature of the artist.
The Church was extended in 1912-1914 by the building of the north part of the church, including the tower, the newer nave and chancel. They were built out of a bequest by Joseph Chapman, a timber merchant who is buried in the graveyard. Sir Walter Tapper, a renowned church architect, built them in a 13th century style. Unusually, part of this extension made to the Church included a new nave situated next to the church building, alongside what was then the current nave. The newer nave was much longer than the previous one and results in the Church having a somewhat unusual shape, being rather wide on the south side. This addition of a longer nave adjacent to a smaller one, meant it was difficult when in the ancient nave to see the altar at the front of the newer nave. As a result, the space when you enter the Church from the south door which is the ancient nave is now used as a hall space; whereas the 1900’s extension is used today for worship.
Inside the church, there is an octagonal Medieval font which is still used today. The organ and organ loft which are also still used today are at the west end of the nave and are built into the tower. On entering the Church from the south door, there is a small Medieval holy water stoup to the left with pointed arch and octagonal bowl. Faithful people would have dipped their fingers into this water and blessed themselves with the sign of the cross and some people still use the water for this today.
Recent Changes to the Church Building: Much work has also taken place in St Michael’s during the last fifteen years, including installing a modern heating system, re-roofing the nave, building a new entrance ramp and adding a new kitchen and toilet which have facilities for the disabled and for baby changing. As a result, St Michael’s is now used regularly for various activities and is available to hire for £10 per hour. More details here.
During this recent work, the finely carved modern screen which used to separate the newer nave from the chancel was replaced in the hall area in front of the kitchen. Also, the kitchen area has no roof so that the stained glass window on the west wall of the south aisle can still be partly seen. It shows St.Michael on the left in full armour with scales in his hand to symbolise weighing the souls of the departed, and St.Gabriel on the right holding a lily.
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro.co.uk
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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