Church of St Michael and All Angels, Hamstall Ridware
Encyclopedia
The Church of St Michael and All Angels is a parish church and Grade I listed building in the village of Hamstall Ridware
, Staffordshire
. The church is situated in a remote position to the north of the village accessed by a 250 m (820.2 ft) pathway through pasture land. The church is situated on a gentle slope 160 m (524.9 ft) west of the River Blithe
. The church was founded in 1130—1150 but the majority of the present church was built of ashlar
sandstone
in the 14th and 15th centuries.
.The church originally consisted of only the present nave and a short chancel, of the original church only small parts of the west wall still exists. Some Norman masonry can still be seen outside on either side of the tower and on the inside a small Norman window can be seen over the belfry
arch in the west wall.
In the 14th and 15th centuries much of the present church as is it today was constructed. In the 14th century the church was lengthened to its present length and the walls raised to their present height. The original small chancel was replaced by the present larger one, a small west tower was added, and the chapels were added on the north and south sides. In the 15th century the north and south aisles were built with 3 bay arcades. The south aisle was extended along the south side of the chancel as a chapel and vestry. The perpendicular clerestory was built and the small west tower was raised to its present height and the recessed spire added. The timbered roof to the nave was replaced in the late 15th century. Later developments included the outer walls of the north chapel being rebuilt in the 18th century and the 19th century gabled south porch.
. There are 3 early 16th century windows in the north aisle which depict 9 of the 12 apostles
. In the window St John
is depicted holding a chalice with a coiled serpent in it. The west window on the south side depicts the 'Baptism of our Lord' and is probably 20th century. A window in the south aisle in dedicated to the memory of Reverend Humberton Skipwith who died in 1911 and carried out restoration of the church. The east window glass is by Ward and Hughes
.
and paten
. These rare objects designed to hold wine and bread during communion
were made of silver gilt in around 1350. It is presumed that these items were buried during the Protestant Reformation
to spare them from destruction. Upon their discovery Jaggard gave them to the Lord of the Manor, Lord Leigh, who had them restored and for a time went on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum
. The items are now on display at Lichfield Heritage Centre
.
Hamstall Ridware
Hamstall Ridware is a village and civil parish in the district of Lichfield in Staffordshire, England. It is in the Trent Valley, and lies close to the villages of Hill Ridware, Mavesyn Ridware and Pipe Ridware...
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
. The church is situated in a remote position to the north of the village accessed by a 250 m (820.2 ft) pathway through pasture land. The church is situated on a gentle slope 160 m (524.9 ft) west of the River Blithe
River Blithe
The River Blithe is a river in Staffordshire, England. It is a Tributary of the River Trent and runs for around 20 miles from source to its confluence with the River Trent.-Etymology:...
. The church was founded in 1130—1150 but the majority of the present church was built of ashlar
Ashlar
Ashlar is prepared stone work of any type of stone. Masonry using such stones laid in parallel courses is known as ashlar masonry, whereas masonry using irregularly shaped stones is known as rubble masonry. Ashlar blocks are rectangular cuboid blocks that are masonry sculpted to have square edges...
sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
in the 14th and 15th centuries.
History
The church was built in around 1130—1150 in the Norman styleNorman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
.The church originally consisted of only the present nave and a short chancel, of the original church only small parts of the west wall still exists. Some Norman masonry can still be seen outside on either side of the tower and on the inside a small Norman window can be seen over the belfry
Bell tower
A bell tower is a tower which contains one or more bells, or which is designed to hold bells, even if it has none. In the European tradition, such a tower most commonly serves as part of a church and contains church bells. When attached to a city hall or other civic building, especially in...
arch in the west wall.
In the 14th and 15th centuries much of the present church as is it today was constructed. In the 14th century the church was lengthened to its present length and the walls raised to their present height. The original small chancel was replaced by the present larger one, a small west tower was added, and the chapels were added on the north and south sides. In the 15th century the north and south aisles were built with 3 bay arcades. The south aisle was extended along the south side of the chancel as a chapel and vestry. The perpendicular clerestory was built and the small west tower was raised to its present height and the recessed spire added. The timbered roof to the nave was replaced in the late 15th century. Later developments included the outer walls of the north chapel being rebuilt in the 18th century and the 19th century gabled south porch.
Features and monuments
- The Cotton Tomb dates from the reign of Henry VIIIHenry VIII of EnglandHenry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
. The Cottons were Lords of the Manor from 1375—1517. - In the south aisle and outside in the churchyard there are monuments to the Stronginthearm family, who were a family of Yeoman farmers.
- The south chapel screen dates from the 16th century and features a Tudor arch.
- The north chapel which is used as an organ chamber and choir vestry has a screen dating from 1520—1530.
- The 16th century choir seats originally came from Lichfield CathedralLichfield CathedralLichfield Cathedral is situated in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. It is the only medieval English cathedral with three spires. The Diocese of Lichfield covers all of Staffordshire, much of Shropshire and part of the Black Country and West Midlands...
. - The stone font and wooden pulpit date from the 19th century.
- The side sections of the reredos with painted panels of the Life of Christ date from the 15th century.
- There are 4 bells, hung 2 over 2 as the belfry has limited space.
Windows
The oldest stained glass windows date from the 14th century and are located in the south chapel and are dedicated to Saint CeciliaSaint Cecilia
Saint Cecilia is the patroness of musicians and Church music because as she was dying she sang to God. It is also written that as the musicians played at her wedding she "sang in her heart to the Lord". St. Cecilia was an only child. Her feast day is celebrated in the Roman Catholic, Anglican,...
. There are 3 early 16th century windows in the north aisle which depict 9 of the 12 apostles
Apostle (Christian)
The term apostle is derived from Classical Greek ἀπόστολος , meaning one who is sent away, from στέλλω + από . The literal meaning in English is therefore an "emissary", from the Latin mitto + ex...
. In the window St John
John the Apostle
John the Apostle, John the Apostle, John the Apostle, (Aramaic Yoħanna, (c. 6 - c. 100) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and brother of James, another of the Twelve Apostles...
is depicted holding a chalice with a coiled serpent in it. The west window on the south side depicts the 'Baptism of our Lord' and is probably 20th century. A window in the south aisle in dedicated to the memory of Reverend Humberton Skipwith who died in 1911 and carried out restoration of the church. The east window glass is by Ward and Hughes
Ward and Hughes
Ward and Hughes was the name of an English company producing stained glass windows. They began in 1836 as Ward and Nixon.Perhaps the most prestigious stained glass commission of the 19th century, the re-glazing of East Window of Lincoln Cathedral, went to Ward and Nixon in 1855...
.
Chalice and paten discovery
In 1817 a local farmer, William Jaggard was digging a ditch on an old road near to the Manor House when he discovered a chaliceChalice
A chalice is a goblet or footed cup intended to hold a drink. This can also refer to;* Holy Chalice, the vessel which Jesus used at the Last Supper to serve the wine* Chalice , a type of smoking pipe...
and paten
Paten
A paten, or diskos, is a small plate, usually made of silver or gold, used to hold Eucharistic bread which is to be consecrated. It is generally used during the service itself, while the reserved hosts are stored in the Tabernacle in a ciborium....
. These rare objects designed to hold wine and bread during communion
Communion
Communion may refer to:*Communion , the relationship between Christians as individuals or Churches*Full communion, a term used when two distinct Christian Churches say they are sharing the same communion...
were made of silver gilt in around 1350. It is presumed that these items were buried during the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
to spare them from destruction. Upon their discovery Jaggard gave them to the Lord of the Manor, Lord Leigh, who had them restored and for a time went on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum
The Victoria and Albert Museum , set in the Brompton district of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, England, is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design, housing a permanent collection of over 4.5 million objects...
. The items are now on display at Lichfield Heritage Centre
Lichfield Heritage Centre
Lichfield Heritage Centre is a museum dedicated to the history and heritage of the city of Lichfield. The museum is located on the south side of the market square on the second floor of St Mary's Church in the centre of Lichfield, Staffordshire in the United Kingdom.The museum was opened by the...
.