Lych gate and coffin rest at the Church of St Michael and All Angels

Lych gate and coffin rest of 1931 by W.D. Caroe.

MATERIALS: the lych gate is built of stone and timber under a stone slate roof. The coffin rest is of stone.

PLAN: the lych gate stands at the eastern entrance of the churchyard, approximately 30m east of the church. The coffin rest now stands at the southern end of the churchyard, approximately 30m south of the church.

DESCRIPTION: the lych gate is a gabled structure with gates on its eastern side which mark the entrance to the churchyard. the gates are hung between the stone walls which form the side of the lych gate and which support the structure above which is of thick timber members with carved detailing including an ogee arch above the entrance way and cusped points to the ends and apex of the gable. The joints of the timbers are pegged in the traditional manner. Above the arch is an inscription which reads, "I AM THE WAY".

Internally, there are benches down each side which are closed off at their western ends with stone panels surmounted by scrolled tops. The benches on each side have inscriptions above them. To the east it reads, "AN HIGH WAY SHALL BE THERE AND IT SHALL BE CALLED THE WAY OF HOLINESS". The west side reads, "THE REDEEMED SHALL WALK THERE AND THE RANSOMED OF THE LORD SHALL RETURN". The west gable of the lych gate is in the same style as the east.

SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: the coffin rest, which now stands at the southern side of the churchyard, is of stone and has a raised back section with carved detailing and the date of 1931 carved into the base.