Church of St Michael, Withington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Michael |
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed building |
| Designated | 26 January 1961 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Gloucester |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of St Michael is an old and beautiful church located in Withington, a village in the Cotswold District of Gloucestershire, England. This church was built a very long time ago, in the 12th century! It's so important that it's officially recognized as a Grade I listed building, which means it's a special historic place.
The Church's Long History
Long, long ago, around the year 674, there was a Saxon monastery right here in Withington. A priest living in the area was even mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. This was a huge survey ordered by William the Conqueror to record everything in England.
The land and the church were owned by the Bishop of Worcester. The Bishop even had a summer home in Withington. The church you see today was mostly rebuilt in the 12th century. You can still spot a special Norman doorway with old carvings. Another Norman doorway is still used to enter the church.
Most of the church's current look comes from big changes made in the 15th century. This was when the Perpendicular Gothic style was popular. During this time, a clerestory was added. This is a row of windows high up on the wall, letting in more light. Some smaller updates were done by an architect named David Brandon in 1872.
In 2010, something very modern happened at the church. Solar panels were put on the roof! This was done to help the church use less energy and become more environmentally friendly. The Church of St Michael now says it's the first "zero-carbon" church in England. This means it tries to have no negative impact on the environment.
The church is part of a group of churches called a benefice in the Coln River area. This group is part of the larger Diocese of Gloucester.
What the Church Looks Like
The Church of St Michael is built from limestone, a type of stone, and has roofs made of stone slates. It has a main open area called a nave with a porch on the south side. It also has a chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is, and a vestry, a room used by the clergy.
The church has a tall tower in the middle with three sections. It has strong supports called buttresses. Inside the tower are six bells and a clock that chimes. There's also an old oak frame from the 15th century that used to hold four bells.
You can also see a font inside the church. This is a special basin used for baptisms, and it also dates back to the 15th century.
