Church Heritage Record 627564

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Core DetailsLocationBuildingInteriorChurchyardSignificanceEnvironmentForumAudit

Amersham-on-the-Hill: St Michael & All Angels

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

Amersham-on-the-Hill: St Michael & All Angels
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Church
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

627564
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

Oxford
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Buckingham
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

St. Michael and All Angels Amersham on the Hill

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is not a Listed Building
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

The church is not in a Conservation Area

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

Modern

Exterior Image

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Summary Description

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Prior to 1966 Amersham-on-the-Hill was part of a Parish which included new and old Amersham. On the 1st of January 1966 Amersham-on-the-Hill became a Conventional District, with the same boundaries as the current Parish, and on 15th September 1973 it became a Parish. Before 1919 there was no building dedicated to Anglican worship in Amersham-on-the-Hill. During the First Word War land was acquired for an Anglican church and hall. In 1919 plans were drawn up for a large church on the site, and in July 1919 a foundation stone was laid “in thanksgiving for victory and peace”. It was soon realised that the plans were too ambitious and expensive, so in February 1920 it was decided that temporary provision should be made. A modest church was to be set back on the site so that it could become the church hall when a grander church could be built in front. It was ready for its first service on 19th December 1920. In June 1930 a new hall was completed in front of the church and shortly afterwards a curate’s house was built adjacent to the hall (the current vicarage). In 1955 agreement was given to sell part of the site to raise money for a new church and in August 1959 plans for the new church were agreed by the Planning Department. The sale of the land was completed in June 1961. In December 1964 the contract for the new St. Michael’s was let and in February 1965 proposals for conversion of the old church to the hall were agreed. Work started on site in March 1965, and the new church fronting onto Sycamore Road, the principal shopping street of Amersham on the Hill, was dedicated on September 17th 1966. By 1970 problems were encountered with the new church, including leaking of the tower, cracking of the floor and poor acoustics. In 1974 prolonged discussions began about selling the site and moving elsewhere. In 1986 new offices were built on the balcony in the south transept. In 1988 it was decided to demolish the church and vicarage and to build a new Christian Centre on the site. However, in 1989 these plans were shelved due to the slump in the property market. In 2002 it was decided to stay on the site and to invest in refurbishing and improving the existing buildings. In 2005 the leaking roofs and tower were repaired, and during 2006 – using funds raised - the interior of the church was refurbished and the layout of the church rooms and Hall improved. The final phase of the refurbishment, which transformed the 1960’s forecourt into St Michael’s Square, was completed in August 2012 after further fundraising and extensive consultation. A space which was predominantly tar macadam and concrete was reconfigured into a “town square”, with seating amongst trees and borders and creation of a quiet garden and a labyrinth. The architects were Jane Duncan Associates, construction was undertaken by DBC Constructing Limited, and the angel feature surrounding the glass doors was created by local glass artist Suzanne Raffellini.

Visiting and Facilities

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The church is open for worship.
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

http://www.stmichaelsamersham.org.uk

Sources and Further Information

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Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/291/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 1 Bell [Archive/Index]
1 Bell

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SU 965 986

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

County:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

Buckinghamshire County

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

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Church Plan

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Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

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Dimensions

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Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

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Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

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Exterior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

The church buildings comprise the church itself with the associated meeting rooms, the church hall behind, which used to be the church, and the vicarage. The church was designed by the architect A. Hodson Archard who also designed the Roman Catholic churches of The Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. John the Evangelist at Bushey and St. Aidan at Little Chalfont. It was built by the local builders H. J. and A. Wright. The church is cruciform in shape with a Lady Chapel at the east end. The following is a brief guide to the main features. There are separate notes available about the icons and glass door surrounds.

 

The statue of St. Michael over the West door is by Joseph Cribb (1892 to 1967) who was Eric Gill’s first apprentice from 1906 to 1913, and continued as his life long associate. The ceramic plaque of the Madonna at south end of portico used to be on the north end of the old church hall. The foundation stone on the north wall is from the 1919 building.

 

The Narthex (west porch): A statuette of The Good Shepherd is over the door to the nave. This Royal Copenhagen statuette is also by Joseph Cribb.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

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Who:
A Burden
Role:
Architect / Surveyor ICM55
From:
To:
Contribution:
Who:
S J Crawley
Role:
Architect / Surveyor ICM55
From:
To:
Contribution:

Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

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Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

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Interior Image

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Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

The Nave: The organ on the balcony over the Narthex is a very fine 1895 Walker organ which used to be in the old church and was originally from a house in Coleshill. It was rebuilt in 1966 and cleaned and re-leathered in 2016. The statue of Christ the King over the west door used to hang in the old church. The large hanging statue of Christ the King over the sanctuary is an enlarged copy by Joseph Cribb of the above. The votive candle stand was donated in memory of Lewis Goldsmith and his wife, Anne Rebecca Waller Goldsmith, resident in the Parish from 1912 to 1949. There is also a book of remembrance.

 

The North Transept: This contains the 1965 foundation stone. There is also a moveable oak font and a Pascal (Easter) candle stand.

 

The South Transept: The Parish office is on the balcony over the south transept.

 

The Sanctuary: Around the sanctuary are the communion rails. The seats (sedilias) and praying desks (prie-Dieu, literally pray God) were given by Major Boyce. There is also a lectern. The altar is the only consecrated area in the church and is therefore marked by five crosses representing Christ’s wounds; four on its top and one on the front. It is usually covered with a fair linen cloth and dust cover with a frontal and super-frontal in liturgical colours (colours to suit the church’s seasons). The rustic cross, made by Michael Darvill, has a drape in the liturgical colour. There are two small tables (credence tables). Over the Sanctuary are the tower and bell. The tower is of such a height that it can be seen from all parts of the town. The single bell in the tower was made in the Whitechapel Bell-foundry and is rung electrically. A glass screen separates the main church from the Lady Chapel.

 

The Lady Chapel: Behind the altar at the east end of the Lady Chapel is a carved and painted reredos (meaning behind the back). It was given by Lady Kenwood in memory of her son who died in the Second World War. It shows Christ nailed to a tree flanked by angels. The four shields on the tree show the scroll of the Torah (the Books of the Law in the Old Testament) and the book of the Gospels; the scales often associated with St. Michael; the food (fish) and the purse that Jesus said that the disciples had to take with them when visiting; and the lily associated with the Virgin Mary. At either end of the top are Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, signifying God. The linenfold screen also came from the old church. A tabernacle (small safe) is used for housing the reserved host (consecrated bread and wine). There is also an aumbry (book cupboard). The statue of the Madonna at the Wayside was presented by the Mothers Union in the 1970s in memory of Dorothy Noakes. The alms (collection) tray was carved by the nephew of Jim Laverty in his memory. The Missal (prayer book) stand was given by Mrs. Pounsberry. The sanctuary lamp is lit when the reserved host is in the Tabernacle. The small altar has a small linen cloth, called a Laudian cloth, and small wooden cross. The Bishop’s chair has the coat of arms of the Oxford Diocese. There is also a prie-Dieu.      

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

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BELL (1 of 1)

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

Work in progress - can you help?

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SU 965 986

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

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Ecological Designations

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The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

The church has no evidence of bats

Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard is closed for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

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There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Church.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

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Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Church

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

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Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

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Setting Significance Description:
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Fabric Significance Level:
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Fabric Significance Description:
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Interior Significance Level:
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Interior Significance Description:
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Community Significance Level:
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Community Significance Description:
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Church Renewables

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Open the map of church renewable installations
Solar PV Panels:

This information forms part of the Shrinking the Footprint project.

No
Solar Thermal Panels:
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No
Bio Mass:
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No
Air Source Heat Pump:
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No
Ground Source Heat Pump:
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No
Wind Turbine:
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No
EV Car Charging:
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Unknown

Species Summary

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All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

CategoryTotal species recorded to date
TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED 0
Total number of animal species 0
Total number of plant species 0
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 0
Total number of amphibian and reptile species 0
Total number of invertebrate species 0
Total number of fungi species 0
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 0
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 0
Total number of Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

‘Seek Advice’ Species

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If any of the following species have been seen close to the Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
James MilesModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionTue 27 Feb 2018 10:06:22
James MilesModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionTue 27 Feb 2018 10:05:57
James MilesModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionTue 27 Feb 2018 10:05:28
James MilesModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionTue 27 Feb 2018 10:04:47
Liz KitchAdded QI inspectionMon 24 Jul 2017 08:54:11
Liz KitchCreated asset source linkMon 24 Jul 2017 08:54:11
Julie PatenaudeModified the Grid ReferenceFri 04 Sep 2015 15:46:24
Julie PatenaudeModified asset data - Modified the Approximate DateFri 04 Sep 2015 15:46:10
Julie PatenaudeModified asset data - Modified the Visiting and Facilities informationFri 04 Sep 2015 15:46:04
Julie PatenaudeModified asset data - Modified the Church Website addressFri 04 Sep 2015 15:45:51
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