Church Of St Michael

SO 46 NW; 2/30

CROFT CP, CROFT PARK, Church of St Michael

11.06.59

GV

I

Parish church. Mid-C14, extended early C16 (dedicated 1515), partly rebuilt C17, restored late C19. Coursed rubble with some ashlar dressings and a machine-tile roof. Chancel, nave with bell turret.

Nave: C14 north wall of three bays with two C14 windows, each of two cinquefoiled lights under a two-centred head, bay to right (west) has an early C18 doorway with bolection moulded architrave beneath an oval window with four key blocks. South wall has two windows, that to east of two cinquefoiled lights under a two-centred head, to west of two ogee cinquefoiled lights under a square head. The south door at the west end is C14 with chamfered jambs and a two-centred head. The square bell turret is of timber, mostly rendered, under a lead covered ogee capping. The belfry vents run all the way around with a series of turned balusters. Chancel: C14, extended early C16. North wall has a blocked C16 four-centred arch, formerly opening into a north chapel. To west of arch a blocked C16 door. South wall has two restored C14 windows, each of three ogee cinquefoiled lights under a square head. East window of four trefoiled lights under a segmental pointed head.

INTERIOR: tall chancel arch with two-centred arch of two chamfered orders continuously moulded. A piscina in south wall of chancel has a two- centred head. Roof of chancel, C16 of three bays with arch-braced collar beam, trusses, with V-struts in the apex, and moulded wall plates. The bay over the altar is boarded, painted with clouds, and the truss has painted cherub heads at the wall-plate. Nave has a similar roof of three bays with cherub heads to one truss. Fittings: west gallery has a bolection moulded panelled front. The font has an octagonal bowl on a re-used base. Pews incorporate C18 raised and fielded panelling. Floor tiles in chancel steps and nave floor are late C15 Malvern tiles, with a few C14 tiles. Reredos of C17 panelling with fluted frieze. Croft monument in chancel (formerly in north chapel) to Sir Richard Croft, died 1509, and his wife. An elaborate altar tomb bearing the recumbent effigies of Sir Richard and his wife. Above their heads an elaborate canopy, the back of which is carved with four saints and other figures.

Listing NGR: SO4498865425