Chapel Of St Michael At Roche Rock

ROCHE SW 95 NE 5/222 Chapel of St Michael at Roche Rock - 1O.2.57 I

Chapel. Licensed 1409. Squared dressed granite. Plan: has the appearance of a 3-stage tower, with a lower room for a chaplain and the chapel above. The chapel is built on the side, near the top of a massive jagged outcrop of schorl and the floor of the lower room is the rock. The east front has a moulded string courses, at the first stage no windows, the 2nd stage has a small single light with trefoil head, moulded granite jambs and lintel with voussoirs. The 3rd stage has large 2-centred arched window with moulded jambs and relieving arch. Upper gable end. On the south side, there is a 4-centred arches doorway to the chaplain's room, with roll-moulded surround. Interior The floor between the chaplain's room and the chapel has been removed; at the upper level to north is a small window with flat lintel. St Michael's Chapel is of outstanding landscape value. The site would have been: chosen for its isolation, and as particularly suitable for a dedication to St Michael; now, no longer used as a chapel, and without a roof, it has also assumed the qualities a romantic folly. The combination of the jagged rock face and the dressed granite forms an architectural unity, whether it is viewed as a mediaeval chapel or as a romantic ruin. Ancient monument no, 191.

Listing NGR: SW9910859617