St Michael and All Angels' Church, Ashton-under-Lyne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Michael and All Angels' Church, Ashton-under-Lyne
St Michael and All Angels' Church, 2011
Religion
Affiliation	Anglican
District	Diocese of Manchester
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Parish church
Location
Location	Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England
Location in Greater Manchester
Architecture
Architectural type	Church
Architectural style	Gothic
Specifications
Spire(s)	1
Spire height	139ft 6in
Materials	Sandstone, stone-slate roof

St. Michael and All Angels' Church, often called St. Michael's Church, is an Anglican church in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England. It is a very important building, listed as a Grade I Listed Building. This means it has special historical or architectural value.

The church has a long history, going back to at least 1262. Some records even suggest a church might have been on this spot when the Domesday Book was written in 1086. While it was rebuilt in the 1400s and again in the 1800s, it is still a busy place of worship today.

A Look at St. Michael's Church History

How Old Is St. Michael's Church?

St. Michael's Church might be one of the two churches mentioned in the Domesday Book from 1086. We know for sure it existed by 1262. At that time, the lord of the manor of Manchester controlled the church.

There is some confusion about its name. It is sometimes called St. Helen's, but this might be because of the many stained glass windows showing the life of St. Helen.

Building and Changes Over Time

The church was rebuilt in the 1400s, possibly in 1413, by Sir John Assheton. His great-grandson, Sir Thomas, who died in 1516, gave many of the beautiful stained glass windows that are still there. He also left money to rebuild the church tower.

Over the years, the church has seen many changes. In 1792, after a storm, the inside was updated. The old screen and rood (a large cross) were taken out. The north side was rebuilt in 1821, and the south wall was rebuilt in 1841.

Richard Tattersall worked on restoring the church in 1843 and from 1843 to 1845. He fixed the pillars inside and the carved oak pews and galleries. Later, in the late 1800s, J. S. Crowther rebuilt the tower.

Today, only a few parts of the 1400s church remain. These include the bottom part of the north wall, the archways, the arch leading to the chancel, and the ceiling.

What Does St. Michael's Church Look Like?

The Tower and Porches

The church's tower was built between 1886 and 1888. It was designed to look like the tower of Manchester Cathedral. The south porch is a good copy of an older porch that was there in 1765.

The north porch is a special memorial. It was built in 1921 by R. B. Preston and R. Martin to remember those who fought in the First World War.

Inside the Church: Pews, Galleries, and Fonts

Inside, the wooden box pews are set up to face the three-level pulpit. This means some people sit with their backs to the chancel (the area near the altar). The church has three galleries, which might be from the 1700s. These are supported by strong cast iron columns.

There are also three fonts for baptisms. Two of them are from the Victorian era, and one is from the 1700s.

Amazing Stained Glass Windows

One of the most important features of St. Michael's Church is its stained glass. It has some of the best medieval stained glass in Northwest England. Sir Thomas Assheton gave these windows between 1497 and 1512.

The windows tell the story of St. Helen in 20 different panels. They also show the Assheton family members who donated them. In 1872, these beautiful windows were moved to the south aisle of the church.

You can also find monuments inside the church. One is for John Postlethwaite, who died in 1818, and it includes Masonic symbols. Another is for Edward Brown, who died in 1857.

See also

• Grade I listed churches in Greater Manchester
• Listed buildings in Ashton-under-Lyne
• List of churches in Greater Manchester