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St Michael's Church, Coston
A church in stone, partly rendered, seen from the southeast, showing the battlemented tower, the south porch, and the nave and chancel, both with lancet windows
St Michael's Church, Coston, from the southeast
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OS grid reference TG 062 063
Location Coston, Norfolk
Country England
Denomination Anglican
Website Churches Conservation Trust
History
Dedication Saint Michael
Architecture
Functional status Redundant
Heritage designation Grade II*
Designated 15 August 1983
Architectural type Church
Style Early English
Groundbreaking 13th century
Specifications
Materials Flint
Roofs slated and tiled

St Michael's Church is an old Anglican church in a small village called Coston, in Norfolk, England. It is no longer used for regular church services. This church is a very important old building. It is protected as a Grade II* listed building. This means it has special historical value. The Churches Conservation Trust looks after St Michael's Church. It stands in a quiet, isolated spot.

History of the Church

St Michael's Church was mostly built a long time ago, in the 1200s. Over the years, new parts were added.

Changes Over Time

  • In the 1400s, a special wall was added to the top of the tower. This wall has gaps like a castle, and it's called a battlemented parapet.
  • The covered entrance, known as the south porch, was built in the 1500s.
  • The wall at the east end of the church was rebuilt. This probably happened in the late 1700s.

What the Church Looks Like

St Michael's Church is made from flint stones. It also has smooth, cut stones called ashlar around the edges. Some parts of the walls are covered with a plaster-like material called render. The roofs are covered with slate or tiles.

Church Layout and Style

The church has a simple design. It has a main hall called a nave. There are no side aisles next to the nave. It also has a chancel, which is the part of the church where the altar is. There is a south porch (the entrance) and a tall tower at the west end. The church was built in an old style called Early English.

Key Features of the Building

  • The tower has three levels. It has short supports called buttresses at the corners.
  • The bell openings have two lights (windows) with Y-shaped patterns.
  • At the very top of the tower, there is a battlemented parapet. It has special patterns made from flint and stone, called flushwork.
  • The nave and chancel have tall, narrow windows called lancet windows.
  • The large window at the east end has three lights and a flat top.
  • The porch is made of flint and brick. It has decorative brick patterns.

Inside the Church

  • The arch that separates the nave from the chancel has carvings of knots.
  • The pulpit, where sermons are given, is made of carved wood.
  • The church has old wooden seats called box pews.
  • The font, used for baptisms, is from the 1400s. It does not have any decorations.

See also

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