St Michael's Church, Aughton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Michael's Church, Aughton
St Michael's Church, Aughton, from the south
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OS grid reference	SD 392 054
Location	Church Lane, Aughton, Lancashire
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Churchmanship	Broad/Central
Website	St Michael, Aughton
History
Status	Parish church
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade I
Designated	11 October 1968
Architect(s)	W. and J. Hey (restoration)
Architectural type	Church
Style	Norman, Gothic, Gothic Revival
Specifications
Materials	Sandstone, stone slate roofs
Administration
Parish	St Michael, Aughton
Deanery	Ormskirk
Archdeaconry	Warrington
Diocese	Liverpool
Province	York

St Michael's Church is a historic building located in Church Lane, Aughton, Lancashire, England. It's an active Anglican church, meaning it's part of the Church of England. It serves as a parish church for the local community. The church works closely with Holy Trinity Church in Bickerstaffe. This church is very important! It's officially recognized as a Grade I listed building, which is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in England.

History of St Michael's Church

The oldest parts of St Michael's Church date back a long time. You can still see a blocked-up doorway from the Norman period, which was around the 11th and 12th centuries. Part of the wall next to it is also from this early time.

Building Changes Over Time

The main part of the church, called the nave, and its tall steeple were built in the 14th century. A special area for the altar, known as the chancel, was added in the 15th century. Around 1545 to 1548, the north aisle (a side section) was rebuilt to be wider than before.

In 1876, the church had a big makeover, known as a Victorian restoration. This work was done by architects W. and J. Hey. During this time, the chancel and some windows were rebuilt. The church was updated again in 1913–1914, when the north vestry (a room for clergy) was made larger.

What Does St Michael's Church Look Like?

St Michael's Church is built from local grey-brown sandstone. Its roofs are made of stone slates. Let's explore its different parts!

Outside the Church

The church has a main section (the nave) with a porch on the south side. There's also a north aisle, which is about the same width as the nave. The chancel is at the east end, with a north chapel and a vestry next to it.

The church has a tall steeple where the nave and aisle meet. The tower changes shape at the top, becoming an octagonal (eight-sided) section for the bells. This is topped with a pointed spire.

You'll see many windows around the church. The windows at the west end of both the nave and the aisle each have four sections. On the south wall of the nave, there are three windows with two sections each, and one with three sections. East of the porch, you can spot the old, blocked-up Norman doorway.

The south wall of the chancel has three windows, each with three sections. At the very east end of the chancel, there's a large window with five sections. The east end of the chapel has a three-section window, with another one above it. Along the north aisle wall, there are four three-section windows. The north side of the tower has a two-section window.

Inside the Church

When you step inside, you'll see a row of arches called an arcade. This arcade has four sections, leading towards the tower arch. In the north wall of the chancel, there's a chest tomb from the 19th century.

Look up at the chancel roof! It's held up by corbels, which are carved supports shaped like angels. The font, where baptisms take place, is octagonal and decorated in a style called Decorated Gothic.

In a recess in the north wall, you can find a piece of an Anglo-Saxon cross-head. Experts believe this ancient piece dates back to about 850 AD! Under the tower, there's a medieval graveslab. You might also spot fragments of medieval stained glass in a window on the north side.

The church has a ring of six bells. Four of these bells were made in 1715 by Abraham Rudhall I. The other two were cast much later, in 1935, by Gillett and Johnston.

Churchyard Features

Outside the church, in the churchyard to the south, you'll find the stone base of a medieval cross. It's a square base with a square hole where the cross would have stood.

The churchyard is also a resting place for soldiers. It contains war graves for a Royal Army Medical Corps officer from World War I, and two airmen, an officer, and a sergeant from the Royal Artillery, all from World War II.

See also

• Grade I listed buildings in Lancashire
• Grade I listed churches in Lancashire
• Listed buildings in Aughton, Lancashire