The Church Of Saint Michael

MARAZION ST MICHAELS MOUNT SW 53 SW

1/55 The Church of Saint Michael

GV I

Priory church, later parish church now chapel. Circa 1135 built for Bernard of Le Bec, remodelled and mostly rebuilt in the C14 following damage by earthquake in 1275, some C15 work and restored by Piers St Aubyn circa late C19. Granite ashlar and granite rubble with granite dressings. Dry Delabole slate roofs over nave and slightly higher chancel and choir roof. Embattled parapets. Plan: nave, central tower and choir/chancel. Organ at west end. Former Lady Chapel adjoins north east corner converted to part of the house (St Michaels' Mount qv) circa 1760. Also adjoins the house at the west end. Tower has stair in north east corner with 'St Michaels' Chair', a medieval lantern cross, at the top. Very thick walls throughout, built on bed rock. Cell under south-east corner where a 7' long human skeleton was found. Exterior : C14 and earlier walls, C14 or C15 windows.and doorways. Parapets and copings rebuilt in the C19. 2 stage tower, ie top stage above nave/chancel parapet level. North wall: four 2-light traceried windows : 2 for the chancel, 1 for the tower (and to upper stage) and 1 for the chancel. 3 north doorways : 1 to the crypt far left, 1 to the chancel and principal doorway right; the chancel and nave doorways are approached by steps. The nave doorway is freestone with square head within steep 4- centred arch. 1826 balustrade in front incorporating medieval cross. The tower has 2-light windows with louvred lights. East gable end has rose window over two 2-light windows. South wall has similar windows to those of the north wall, west gable end has square rose window in the gable. Interior : C15 roof structure, restored in the C19. No wall plaster. Stone flagged floor. Fittings : carved Norman capital as font; fine C19 reredos with C15 alabaster panels; bells originally 1385 and 1408, restored 1906, and turret clock of circa 1780, in tower. Glass : much fine C16 and C17 glass. Organ : 1786 by John Avery of Bristol. Sources : report by Colonel Drewitt; St Michael's Mount by John St Aubyn; The National Trust guide pamphlets.

Listing NGR: SW5144929848