Church Of St Michael

OULTON CHURCH LANE TM 59 SW 3/28 Church of St. Michael 27.11.54 I Parish church. Medieval, restored 1862. Nave, chancel, central tower, north transept, south porch. Mainly flint rubble with remains of plasterwork; stone dressings. Plaintiled roofs. Square tower: the lower portion is C12, with evidence for blocked window openings on the north side; the upper part of the tower has been rebuilt in red brick, C18 and later. C12 nave with original north and south doorways, the arch to the south doorway with chevron ornament. The nave windows are in the Perpendicular style, the 3 to the north largely original. C15 porch, considerably restored, with a brick entrance arch and statue niche above; inside there are 4 stoups. Good C14 3-bay chancel: 2 of the windows on each side and the 4-light east window have reticulated tracery. The windows to the north and east are mostly original. The north transept has been altered and enlarged, and is now used as the organ chamber and vestry. The lower part of the end wall has coursed rubblework and is probably C13. Interior. C12 tower arches on plain imposts; the west arch has one order of chevron ornament. There are later arches to the former south transept and a west aisle attached to this transept. Mid C19 nave roof with shallow scissor- bracing to the trusses. The chancel roof and ceiling were renewed in 1967. Stairs to former rood loft. In the sanctuary a trefoil-arched piscina and drop-sill sedilia. Wel-preserved C15 octagonal font: the bowl panels have flowers alternating with lions and with angels bearing shields; there are angels to the underside of the bowl and 4 lions against the stem. A west gallery is dated 1836. On the south nave wall is a monument to Thomas Hunt (1808). 2 fine effigy brasses stolen in 1857 have been replaced by mid C20 replicas. Over the tower arch to the nave are the Arms of James II. The furnishings are largely of C20 date.

Listing NGR: TM5100893578