Church Of St Michael

The Church of St Michael is a church built between 1864 and 1877, with later additions, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. It is constructed of flint with ashlar dressings.

The building comprises a chancel, a nave with north and south transepts, lower north and south aisles, a west door, a south porch, a north vestry, and a church room to the south of the chancel, added in 1967. The windows feature geometrical tracery, particularly prominent in the east and west windows and at the ends of the transepts. A high west bellcote is also a notable feature.

The spacious interior has seen little alteration and largely retains its original fittings and layout. It features slender round and octagonal arcade piers, and a clerestory with quatrefoil openings. Original fittings include a painted 19th-century wooden pulpit and a high altar by Harry Redfern (1911). A mural depicting saints is on the east wall, painted by Mr. Drake of Exeter. The font was replaced in 1911. Original benches are present in the nave and north and south aisles, with oak pews from 1922 in the chancel. A more recent Lady Chapel has been incorporated into the north aisle. The church’s glass includes the east window (Lavers and Barraud, 1873-5), the south chancel windows (Clayton and Bell, 1882; Burliston and Grylls, late 19th century).

The church was constructed as part of the development of this area of Abingdon by Christ’s Hospital, which includes the Registered grade II Albert Park located opposite. Originally a chapel of ease to St. Helen’s, Abingdon, it served the poor of the Ock Street area to the south of St Michael's. The church has maintained its Anglo-Catholic tradition since the later 19th century. It represents a substantial and relatively unaltered example of an urban church by a leading figure in the Victorian Gothic Revival, and remained an integral part of a planned development within Abingdon. The church room is not considered to be of particular significance.