St Michael's Church, Bracewell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Michael's Church, Bracewell |
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St Michael's Church, Bracewell, from the northeast
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| OS grid reference | SD 863 485 |
| Location | Bracewell Lane, Bracewell, Lancashire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | St Michael, Bracewell |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 29 Jan 1988 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Norman, Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 1143 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone, stone slate roof |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Bracewell |
| Deanery | Skipton |
| Archdeaconry | Craven |
| Diocese | Leeds |
| Province | York |
St Michael's Church is a historic church located on Bracewell Lane in Bracewell, Lancashire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church, meaning it serves the local community. The church is part of the Diocese of Leeds. It also works closely with Holy Trinity and St Mary le Ghyll churches in Barnoldswick. St Michael's Church is a very important building. It is listed as a Grade I building on the National Heritage List for England. This means it is of exceptional historical interest.
Contents
History of St Michael's Church
St Michael's Church was first built in 1143. It began as a private chapel for the Tempest family. A chapel is a smaller place of worship. Just ten years later, in 1153, it became a parish church. This meant it was open for everyone in the local area to use.
Some parts of the church you see today are from that very old time. However, most of the building was constructed much later. This happened in the 15th or early 16th century. The lowest part of the church's tower has been changed. It is now a special chapel for remembering people.
Church Design and Features
The church is made from stone. Its roof is covered with stone slates. The church has a main area called a nave. It also has a chancel, which is the part near the altar. Both the nave and chancel are under one roof. There is also a north aisle (a side section) and a porch on the south side. A tower stands at the west end of the church.
The Tower and Entrances
The tower has two main levels. The lower level has a window with two sections. The upper level has openings for bells, also with two sections. The top edge of the tower has a decorative border. This border looks like small castles. The main entrance on the south side is a round-headed doorway. This style is called Norman. It shows how old some parts of the church are.
Windows and Inside Details
On the south side of the church, there are two windows. Each has two sections and a straight top. The north side has four windows. These windows have three arched sections under a straight top. The chancel also has a large window at the east end with three sections.
Inside the church, you will see a row of arches. This is called an arcade. It is supported by eight-sided pillars. The arch that leads to the chancel is also Norman in style. It has special carved tops on its pillars. The font, where baptisms take place, is also Norman. The pulpit, where sermons are given, and the altar rails are from the Jacobean period. The wooden seats, called pews, are more modern. They were made by a famous craftsman named Robert Thompson. Some of the church windows have beautiful stained glass. This glass dates back to the 14th century.
More Information
- Grade I listed buildings in Lancashire
- Grade I listed churches in Lancashire
- Listed buildings in Bracewell and Brogden
