St Michael's Church, Southampton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Michael's Church, Southampton |
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| Church of St. Michael | |
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The Parish Church of St Michael, Southampton
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 St. Michael's Church, Southampton
Location in Southampton
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| 50°53′59″N 1°24′19″W / 50.89959°N 1.40515°W | |
| Location | Southampton, Hampshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Parish of St Michael's, Southampton |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 1070 |
| Dedication | St. Michael |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Listed building – Grade I |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Norman |
| Completed | Last major re-building 1872 |
| Specifications | |
| Spire height | 165 ft 0 in (50.29 m) |
| Materials | Ashlar |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Michael's, Southampton |
| Deanery | Southampton |
| Archdeaconry | Bournemouth |
| Diocese | Winchester |
| Province | Canterbury |
St. Michael's Church in Southampton, England, is a very old and important building. It was started in 1070, making it the oldest building still used in the city! It's also the only church left from the five that were once inside the old medieval city walls. This church is so special that it's protected as a Grade I Listed building.
Contents
Where is St. Michael's Church?
St. Michael's Church is located in the heart of Southampton's Old Town. You can find it on the east side of St. Michael's Square, right across from the Tudor House Museum. Long ago, in medieval times, this square was a busy fish market!
A Look at the Church's History
After the Norman Conquest of England, the town of Southampton moved. It shifted from the old Saxon settlement called Hamwic to higher ground. This new spot was closer to the River Test.
How the Church Began
Experts believe the church was founded in 1070. It was named after St. Michael, who is a patron saint of Normandy. The first church was built in a cross shape. The oldest parts you can still see today are the lower sections of the central tower.
The first official record of St. Michael's was in 1160. King Henry II gave the church to the monks of St. Denys Priory. They looked after it until 1537. Then, during the Dissolution, the church became property of the Crown.
Growth and Challenges
Southampton became a very important port in England during the Middle Ages. Because of this, St. Michael's Church also grew. In the 13th century, new chapels were added to both sides of the main church area.
However, the church faced tough times. In October 1338, French raiders attacked Southampton. The church was badly damaged by fire. The Hundred Years' War and the Black Death also hurt the town's success. It wasn't until the late 14th century that things got better. The wine trade started up again, which helped the town's economy.
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In the late 14th century, the north side of the church was made wider. The south side and the main west door were rebuilt in the 15th century. This is how the church got its almost rectangular shape. The church's first tall spire was built in the 15th century.
From the mid-1500s, Southampton's importance as a port went down. This meant the church was not looked after as well. One chapel was even rented out as a house and then a barber's shop! It was finally pulled down around 1880.
Restoration and Rebuilding
In 1836, a new vicar, Rev. T. L. Shapcott, began a big project. They added new seating, raised the floor, and made the side areas taller. The roof was also rebuilt. This work cost the church a lot of money, about £2,390.
In 1872, some of the new additions had to be removed. They were causing damage to the old building.
The church's spire was first built in the 15th century and rebuilt in 1732. In 1887, more was added to it to make it taller. This helped ships see it better from the sea. It is now 165 feet (50 meters) high.
World War II and Beyond
During World War II, many parts of Southampton were destroyed by bombs. But St. Michael's Church was lucky. It only had small damage. People say German pilots used the spire as a landmark and were told not to hit it.
In the 1960s, the entire church was restored again. This work cost £36,000. It was finished just in time for the church's 900th anniversary in 1970.
Exploring the Church's Design
Outside the Church
The west wall has parts of the original Norman design. It also has a doorway from the 15th century. You can still see where the original roof line was before it was raised in 1828.
The south wall has pieces of round pillars from the first Norman church. These were moved and put into the wall when it was made taller.
The east wall has parts from the 12th century at the bottom. You can still see the corner of the 12th-century main church area sticking out.
The north wall has a doorway with a nice arched top from the 15th century.
The 165-foot (50-meter) spire has a weather vane on top. It's a golden rooster, about 3 feet 3 inches (1 meter) long. This rooster was first put on the spire when it was rebuilt in 1733.
Inside the Church
The church walls are very thick, about 3 feet 10 inches (1.17 meters). They have round arches that lead to different parts of the church.
The main church area, called the chancel, is about 22 feet 6 inches (6.86 meters) square. The lower part of the east wall is from the 12th century. There's also a special basin for water (called a piscina) from around 1260.
The north and south chapels are next to the chancel. The south chapel is now used as a vestry (a room for clergy). It has a large arch that used to lead to another chapel, but it's now blocked up. The organ is above the choir vestry.
The north chapel was once known as the Mayor's Chapel. This is because, until 1835, the mayor of Southampton was sworn into office here. In the north wall, you can see a special mark from a merchant. It's a sign of the Woolstaplers' Guild.
The south wall is from the 15th century and has two windows from that time. The north wall has windows from the late 14th century. Near one of these windows is a blocked-up doorway and a holy water stoup from the 15th century.
Church Windows
The East Window shows the five churches of medieval Southampton. These include St. John's, St. Lawrence, St. Michael's, Holyrood, and All Saints'. Many of these other churches were destroyed over time.
The West Window shows St. Michael fighting a dragon.
Special Items in the Church
The Font
The font is where babies are baptized. This one was made around 1170 from a single block of black marble from Tournai. It is one of only four such fonts in Hampshire.
Lecterns
The church has two brass lecterns, which are stands for reading. One of them was saved from Holyrood Church during the 1940 bombing. It is one of the oldest and finest in the country, from the 14th or early 15th century. It looks like a beautifully shaped eagle. The other lectern is also a brass eagle from around 1450.
Tombs and Memorials
The most famous tomb in the church belongs to Sir Richard Lyster (c.1480–1554). He was a very important judge. His tomb was built in 1567. It's a lovely example of early-Elizabethan style with fluted columns.
Near the north-east corner of the tower, there's part of a 12th-century gravestone. It has a carving of a bishop holding a staff.
High on the south wall, you can find a memorial to Bennet Langton. It includes a special message written by his close friend, Samuel Johnson.
Music and the Organ
The choir of St. Michael's is called Cantores Michaelis. These are students from the University of Southampton who receive funding to sing. They perform every Sunday and on special feast days during the school year. The group, started in 2000, focuses on singing without instruments for church services.
The church's original organ was built in 1880. It was made bigger in 1950 and rebuilt in 1986. In 1995, more improvements were made. In December 2016, a new digital organ was installed. It is a copy of the famous Willis organ from Hereford Cathedral.
Church Bells
From the 17th century until 1878, the church had six bells. In 1878, two more bells were added. In 1923, all the bells were recast and hung in a new metal frame. Finally, in 1947, two more bells were made from metal saved from the bombed Holyrood Church. St. Michael's is now one of only six churches in the Diocese of Winchester that has ten bells.
See also
- St. George's Episcopal Memorial Church, a church in the US with a stained glass window containing shards of glass collected from this church when it was damaged in World War II.
