History of the Parish of St Michael and All Angels

Pre 1086 - Saxon Settlement

1086 - Domesday Book rough translation: Lopitone held by Edric the Wild, 5 hides that pay tax, In Lordship 2 ploughs, 4 slaves, 15 villagers have 6 ploughs, 2 extra ploughs would be possible. It is noted that Lopitone was worth £3 in 1066 and £6 in 1086. Lopitone was in the Baschurch Hundred.

1190 - Alexander de Lopitone granted Loppington Church and its tithes to Wombridge Abbey in return for prayers at the Priory for his deceased family members. It was at this time that the original stone church would have been built as there is evidence of Norman stone work in the building. Loppington now in the Pim Hill Hundred.

1300 - The North doorway (now covered by the St Michael Tapestry) and South Chancel doorway date from the 14th Century.

1400 - West and South walls were removed and the tower and south aisle were added.

1643 - Battle of Loppington. During the Civil War Loppington remained loyal to the Crown as did most of Shropshire but Wem was for Parliament. The Parliamentary forces sited a gun on Ditches Hill outside Wem and fired on Loppington damaging the north wall of the church. The church roof was then set alight to force the occupants out and the roof and arcade were destroyed.

1700 - The damage was repaired in the 17th and 18th centuries. The north wall was rebuilt in stone recovered from the remains with some additional stone and the arcade rebuilt in wood.

Victorian - The church was again partially rebuilt and the wooden arcade replaced Period with stone. The false ceiling was taken down to reveal the beautiful roof beams and the chancel was rebuilt and extended to provide a larger sanctuary. The restoration cost £1700, and the work on the chancel cost the Dickin family of Loppington and the Vaughan family of Burlton £157 10s 3d.

1900 - Repairs continued to be made throughout the century. The organ was installed in the tower in 1949 being removed from a chapel in Liverpool and installed in memory of those who gave their lives in the war. Previously there had been an organ in what is now the Lady Chapel presumably installed by the Victorians when they restored the church. The Tower was renovated and made safe later in the century. The tapestry kneelers and St Michael tapestry were designed and made by local people at this time.

2000 - The Tapestry showing the Light of Christ was produced to mark the Millennium. Project 2008 was initiated at the beginning of the new Millennium which involves the installation of a new heating system, toilet and kitchen, repairs to the ceiling between the beams and a new lighting scheme.

The Church of St Michael and All Angels is an historic building, Grade One Listed, and will always demand a high standard of repairs and maintenance. The people of the church are committed to continue to maintain the building as well as doing the Lord's work in the parish.

If you would like to download a print friendly version (PDF) - Click here