St Michael's Church, Cowthorpe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Michael's Church, Cowthorpe |
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St Michael's Church, Cowthorpe, from the southwest
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| OS grid reference | SE 426 526 |
| Location | Cowthorpe, North Yorkshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Churches Conservation Trust |
| History | |
| Founder(s) | Sir Bryan Roucliffe |
| Dedication | Saint Michael |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 30 March 1966 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 1456 |
| Completed | 1458 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Sandstone and limestone, stone slate roofs |
St Michael's Church is a very old church in Cowthorpe, a village in North Yorkshire, England. It's no longer used for regular church services. This special building is protected as a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered very important and historic. The Churches Conservation Trust takes care of it now.
Contents
History of St Michael's Church
The church was built between 1456 and 1458. Sir Bryan Roucliffe, a lawyer, had it built. He was a very important person, like a judge for the king's money. Sir Bryan got the land of Cowthorpe from his uncle.
In 1456, Sir Bryan asked the Archbishop of York for permission. He wanted to build a new church. It would replace an older chapel near the River Nidd. Some of the stone blocks in the new church might have come from that old chapel.
The church was repaired in the 1800s. This repair was not a big change. Workers fixed some window designs and the roof. St Michael's stopped being used for regular services in 1975. The Churches Conservation Trust took over its care in 1977.
What the Church Looks Like
Outside the Church
St Michael's Church is made from sandstone and limestone. Its roofs are covered with stone tiles. The church has a main area called the nave with a porch on the south side. It also has a chancel and a tall tower at the west end.
The tower is built into the church's main part. It has a style called Perpendicular Gothic. This style was popular in England a long time ago. The tower has three levels and two strong supports called buttresses.
On the west side of the tower, there is a large arch. Inside this arch is a big window with three sections. There is also a round window on the south side of the tower. The very top of the tower has a battlemented top. This looks like the top of a castle wall. People have said the tower looks like a military building. It reminds them of a castle gatehouse from the 1400s.
The church's windows are also in the Perpendicular style. The large window at the east end has three sections. There is also a door on the north wall that is now blocked up.
Inside the Church
Inside St Michael's, you can see some of its original features. The font is a square stone bowl. It has carvings of patterns and family shields. It stands on a cross-shaped base.
There is also a special wooden chest with a carved top. This is a rare example of an Easter Sepulchre. You can also find small pieces of old medieval stained glass in the windows. These pieces show family symbols.
On the north wall of the chancel, there are parts of a brass memorial. It remembers Sir Bryan and his wife. These brass pieces were stolen in the 1850s. After they were found, they were put back in the church in 1886.
The church has three bells. One of them is dedicated to Sir Bryan. It has an inscription written in English. This is special because most bells from that time had Latin inscriptions.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in North Yorkshire
- List of churches preserved by the Churches Conservation Trust in Northern England
