Church Of St Michael

SK 90 NW WHITWELL MAIN ROAD

8/164 Church of St. Michael

14.6.54

GV II*

Small parish church, the earliest parts apparently of the C13, but possibly incorporating the core of an aisle-less C12 church. Much of the C14, though heavily restored in 1881. Sandstone rubble throughout. Nave, south aisle and chancel. C13 west bellcote with 2 round arched openings in paired gables. Single lancet window in W. wall. C13 south doorway, round arched with banded outer shafts with fillet mouldings and nailhead decoration. Medieval south porch, gabled with cross as finial, and former sundial below the gable. S. aisle is decorated, windows with heavy tracery and hoodmoulds with carved heads on stops. Buttresses with gablets. Coped gables throughout and pitched roof with no parapet. In the north wall of the nave, one blocked square window to east, and blocked N. door.

Within, a nave of 3 bays - arcade has double chamfered arches on octagonal piers. Easternmost pier bases have probable mortice holes for former screen. Trefoiled piscina to east of aisle, and some medieval encaustic tiles in aisle floor. Tiny fragment of wall painting on N. wall of nave. Chancel of same level as nave, with barrel vaulted roof and stone cornice with ball flower and flower decoration. Victorian traceried E. window and reredos. C17-C18 altar rails. Much C19 stained glass and one early C14 crucifixicion S.W. window of chancel. Pulpit possibly C18. Font, octagonal with incised decoration, C14.

Listing NGR: SK9236508804