Church Of St Michael

GREAT SAMPFORD HIGH STREET 1. 5222 (west side) Church of St Michael TL 6435 40/330 21.2.67

I GV

1. Mainly C14 flint and stone rubble church with stone dressings. The south chapel is late Cl3 and was the transept of a former church. The church is said to have been built by the Knights Hospitallers. The north arcade of the nave and the north aisle are circa 1320-30, the chancel circa 1340, the south aisle, south porch and west tower circa 1350. The parapet to the south aisle is C15 and the interior staircase to the tower is C16. The west tower has angle buttresses and a castellated parapet. The windows of the chancel have fine tracery, particularly the large 5-light east window. On the interior the chancel has stone arcades with clustered columns and cusped pointed arches mounted above stone benches. On the north wall there are 11 bays and on the south wall 15 bays. Each is said to have seated one of the Knights Hospitallers. The arch from the south aisle into the chapel has very fine stone carving with foliage, a cowled head, animals and birds. In the south wall of the chapel there is a C14 tomb recess with crocketted gables. The stone font has a C14 traceried stem and a C15 plain bowl. There is also a C16 oak cupboard. The church forms the focal point of the village. Graded for its architectural, historical and topographical value. (RCHM 1).

Listing NGR: TL6423435355