Cropthorne: St Michael

Name:
Cropthorne: St Michael
Record Type:
Church
Church code:
642076
Diocese:
Worcester
Archdeaconry:
Worcester
Parish:
Fladbury, Hill and Moor, Wyre Piddle, Cropthorne and Charlton

Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?
This is a Grade I Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?
There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

The church is in the following Conservation Area: Cropthorne

Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?
This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
 

Approximate Date

Approximate Date:
Medieval

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 642076 Cropthorne: St Michael
Caption:
Exterior image of 642076 Cropthorne: St Michael
Description:
Exterior image of 642076 Cropthorne: St Michael
Year / Date:
2018
Copyright:
Peter Harris
Originator:
Peter Harris

Summary Description

The village is of ancient origin and was presented by Otta, King of Mercia to the Priory of Worcester in 786 AD. The Church of St, Michael was founded before the Norman Conquest, but the oldest part of the present building dates from 1100AD, being the base of the chancel arch. The chancel arch itself was inserted in 1170AD. The Priory continued to hold Cropthorne until 1539. Three years later the Crown, to whom the new estates had passed on the Dissolution of the Monasteries, granted them back to the newly constituted Cathedral of Worcester. The manor of Charlton was leased to the Dinely family, and two 17th century tombs along with a number of wall plaques in the church at Cropthorne commemorate powerful members of that family. In 1861, the commissioners sold Cropthorne to Francis Holland of Cropthorne Court Estate. Francis rebuilt the chancel around the turn of the century as part of a major restoration of the church. The East window jambs are from the 14th century, but the tracery is modern. An object of great interest is the pre-Norman stone cross-head resting on the plinth in the North Aisle and dated about 800 AD. It was found in the wall of the sanctuary in the 18th century, it is made of oolite and the age is decorated in Greek-fret. The surface design is of foliage and birds with parrot like beaks, and on the lower arm is a Griffin. The Lady Chapel has a plain stone slab altar with five consecration crosses, one corner of which has been repaired almost obliterating the cross. Part of the surface carries the remains of an indented design. but this is so faint as to be unidentifiable. It is supported on two pillars plus two projections.

Visiting and Facilities

The church is open for worship.
Open daily from 9am until dusk
 

Church Website

Church Website:
https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18646/benefice/

Sources and Further Information

Antiquarian Horological Society (2015) AHS Turret Clock database Unique Number ID: 447 [Digital Archive/Data]
01/05/2002
Peter Harris (2018) Exterior image of 642076 Cropthorne: St Michael [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 642076 Cropthorne: St Michael
Peter Harris (2018) Plan of 642076 Cropthorne: St Michael [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Plan of 642076 Cropthorne: St Michael
CWGC (2016) Commonwealth War Graves Commission CWGC Unique File Reference Number: 7813 [Bibliography/Data]
Number of War Graves: 3
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/18644/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~145130~120325 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 09938

Coverage - 1896

Created by ?COSSINS, Jethro Anstice: b. 1830 - d. 1917 of Warwickshire

ICBS (1817-1989) Incorporated Church Building Society Archive https://images.lambethpalacelibrary.org.uk/luna/servlet/detail/LPLIBLPL~34~34~145139~120326 [Archive/Graphic material]

Ground plan

ICBS File Number - 09938

Coverage - 1896

Created by ?COSSINS, Jethro Anstice: b. 1830 - d. 1917 of Warwickshire

James Miles (2019) Church Bells 6 Bells [Archive/Index]
6 Bells