Church of St Michael and All Angels, Hamstall Ridware facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Michael and All Angels |
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| 52°46′18″N 1°50′41″W / 52.771741°N 1.844824°W | |
| Location | Hamstall Ridware, Staffordshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Founded | 1130—1150 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Norman |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Lichfield |
| Diocese | Lichfield |
| Province | Canterbury |
The Church of St Michael and All Angels is a really old and important church in a small village called Hamstall Ridware in Staffordshire, England. It's so special that it's listed as a Grade I building, which means it's one of the most important historic buildings in the country! You'll find it in a quiet spot, a bit away from the village, with a path leading to it through fields. The church was first built a very long time ago, between 1130 and 1150. But most of what you see today was built later, in the 1300s and 1400s, using strong sandstone blocks.
Contents
The Church's Story
This church was first built around 1130–1150. Back then, it was made in the Norman style, which means it had thick walls and round arches. The original church only had the main part you see today (called the nave) and a small area for the altar (called the chancel).
Not much of that first church is left, just small parts of the back wall. You can still spot some old Norman stone on the outside, near the tower. Inside, there's a tiny Norman window above the arch leading to the bell tower.
Most of the church you see now was built much later, in the 1300s and 1400s.
- In the 1300s, the church was made longer and taller. The small chancel was replaced with a bigger one. A small tower was added at the back, and chapels were built on the north and south sides.
- In the 1400s, more parts were added, like the north and south aisles (side sections). The south aisle was even extended to become a chapel and a vestry (a room for changing clothes). The tower was made taller, and the pointy spire was added. The wooden roof of the main part of the church was also replaced around this time.
- Later, in the 1700s, the outer walls of the north chapel were rebuilt. In the 1800s, a gabled porch was added to the south entrance.
Cool Features and Old Memorials
This church has many interesting things to see from different time periods:
- The Cotton Tomb is a very old memorial from the time of King Henry VIII. The Cotton family were important lords of the area from 1375 to 1517.
- In the south aisle and outside in the churchyard, you can find memorials to the Stronginthearm family. They were a family of farmers who owned their own land.
- The screen in the south chapel is from the 1500s. It has a special type of arch called a Tudor arch.
- The north chapel is now used for the organ and as a changing room for the choir. It has a screen that dates back to between 1520 and 1530.
- The choir seats are from the 1500s and originally came from Lichfield Cathedral.
- The stone font (where baptisms happen) and the wooden pulpit (where sermons are given) were made in the 1800s.
- The side parts of the reredos (a decorated screen behind the altar) have painted pictures from the 1400s. They show scenes from the Life of Christ.
- The church has four bells. They are hung two above two because there isn't much space in the bell tower.
Beautiful Windows
The oldest stained glass windows in the church are from the 1300s. You can find them in the south chapel, and they are dedicated to Saint Cecilia. There are also three windows from the early 1500s in the north aisle. These windows show nine of the twelve apostles. In one window, Saint John is shown holding a cup with a coiled snake in it.
The west window on the south side shows the 'Baptism of our Lord' and was probably made in the 1900s. Another window in the south aisle remembers Reverend Humberton Skipwith, who passed away in 1911. He helped restore parts of the church. The glass in the east window was made by a company called Ward and Hughes.
The Chalice and Paten Discovery
In 1817, a local farmer named William Jaggard was digging a ditch near the old Manor House. He found something amazing: a chalice and a paten! These are special objects used in church services. A chalice holds wine, and a paten holds bread during communion.
These rare items were made of silver gilt (silver covered with a thin layer of gold) around 1350. People believe they were buried during the Protestant Reformation to keep them safe from being destroyed. When Mr. Jaggard found them, he gave them to the Lord of the Manor, Lord Leigh. Lord Leigh had them fixed up, and for a while, they were shown at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Today, you can see these historic items on display at the Lichfield Heritage Centre.
See also
- Grade I listed churches in Staffordshire
- Listed buildings in Hamstall Ridware
