Like many churches in this part of Wiltshire, St Michael's size and architecture testifies to the wealth derived from wool in the late Middle Ages. It sits apart from the town centre in a spacious churchyard, with an enclave of charming period buildings.
Although the church's Perpendicular appearance reflects rebuilding in the 15th Century, there are traces of Norman frieze and arcading in both the chancel and the west wall, indicating the original Norman church was of similar size. The nave arcades of five bays are late 13th century work, although the clerestory, two-storey North porch and the impressive Lady Chapel date from the 15th century. The tower was moved in during the restoration in 1845 from its original crossing position to the west. The result is a spacious church with many attractive wall tablet monuments, and some nice glass by Kempe, although the walls are sadly scraped of plaster. An oddity is the offset chancel arch; the east nave wall around it contains a painting of the Transfiguration, painted in 1921, in the sentimental style typical of the period.
The parish today comprises the churches St Michael's, St Andrew's and St Barnabas, and offers a range of worship styles with a growing congregation. On our visit, we were warmly welcomed and offered a guide to the church, tea and biscuits!
St Michael, Canon Square, Melksham SN12 6LX
No comments:
Post a Comment