Church Of St Michael

The Church of St Michael is a late 19th and early 20th century church located in Camden, London. The nave and aisles were built in 1880-1, the chancel in 1893-4 by GF Bodley and T Garner, with vestries added in 1908. Constructed of yellow stock brick with stone dressings and a tiled roof, it is built in the Decorated Gothic style and orientated north-south.

The exterior features an entrance on the north facade, where a tower was originally planned. The west front has a pointed 5-light traceried window, with a belfry in the gable apex. Flanking are stone and brick bands and buttresses. Aisle ends have pointed 2-light traceried windows, with an ogee doorway and hood mould on the right. Flying buttresses support the aisles, above which are pointed 3-light traceried windows. Projecting vestries are located at the south-east corner.

The interior is stone, with a continuous, stenciled waggon roof to the nave and chancel, vaulted above the north chapel. Stone arches span the space from east to west, necessitating the external flying buttresses. The nave has five bays, with aisles, and the chancel has three bays and a shorter north chapel. There is no chancel arch, a stylistic choice favoured by Bodley. The chancel retains its original altar from 1880-1, along with stenciled work and a later decorative scheme of Christ in Majesty set on marble steps. Sedilia are located on the south wall. A brass floor memorial commemorates Edward Bainbridge Reynolds, the founding incumbent. A parclose screen between the chancel and chapel, designed by Bodley in 1898, has stone tracery. The north chapel contains an Easter sepulchre with a gilded canopy and lamp, an altar, and a reredos with marble panels. A 1932 organ is housed in the south aisle. Dado panelling, in Bodley's characteristic design, connects the older and newer elements of the church. A reading desk (undated) and a 1910 pulpit are situated along the chancel steps, along with a 1939 statue of St Michael. The church sits several steps below the level of Camden Road, with stone flags to the aisles. The vestries are in a more perpendicular style. The clergy vestry is panelled and contains vestment chests, while the choir vestry, though simpler, originally retained a vestry chest (now absent).

The interior's aesthetic influenced the young Ninian Comper who later became a pupil of Bodley. The originally planned massive tower was never constructed. The church is listed at Grade II* for the exceptional quality of its interior.