Tour of St Michael and All Angels Church

As you enter the church by the south door, you see in front of you, at the back of the church, the FONT.

1. The font is used regularly for the Baptism of babies. Baptism is a Sacrament whereby we are, through Gods grace, washed clean of all sin and made children of God and members of the world wide Church. Adults may be Baptised if they were not been Baptised as children.

2. The ORGAN is reached from the stairs behind the font. Unfortunately we have to lock the gate at the bottom of the stairs for safety reasons, but if you stand back from the font, and look up, you can see the organ. It is a Father Willis Organ, which makes it rather special as the Willis Company made very high quality instruments. The parishioners installed the organ after the Second World War, in memory of those who lost there lives in the conflict. The organ came from a Chapel in Liverpool. We have completed the renovation of the Organ, which is used at most services. Music is an important element in all our worship and we have a good Choir that leads the congregation and contributes various anthems to the worship.

3. At the bottom of the stairs you cannot fail to notice the large wall TAPESTRY depicting St. Michael slaying the dragon. This was Designed and worked on by five Ladies of this Church in memory of Revd. Roy Sorfleet, who was Vicar of this Parish.

4. From here walk down the main Aisle towards the Altar and note the tapestry on the PEW SEATS AND KNEELERS. All the kneelers and seat cushions are individual; no two patterns are the same. They were all designed and worked by Ladies of this church. Do take time to look closely at some of them.

5. Please notice some of the STAINED GLASS WINDOWS as you walk round.

6. In front of the front pew on your left is the LECTERN. It is from here that the members of the congregation read the lessons at our services. We have quite a number of readers who take turns on a rota basis. We use service sheets containing readings, Psalm and Prayers for the day so this makes it easier for the readers , and the congregation can follow the readings on the sheet and take it home with them if they wish.

7. If you look round the back of the lectern, you will see steps leading to the PULPIT. Sermons are preached from the pulpit as a rule but for some services, such as the family service which is very informal, the talk is given from the body of the church.

8. Continuing up into the CHANCEL, note the tapestries again. The Revd. Sorfleet designed the Choir stall kneelers using Biblical texts set to musical chant. One is supposed to read one side on the way to the Altar, and the other side on the way back to the pews.

9. Moving onto the SANCTUARY, the Altar rail cushions depict a panoramic view of the village and two side cushions with scenes of spring, summer, autumn and winter. We have two altar ‘fronts’; a very beautiful multicoloured ‘all seasons’ one, and a lovely white ‘festival’ one.

10. Our most recent TAPESTRY is on your right. This was worked for the Millennium. It shows Jesus as the light of the world. A full description is in the frame by the tapestry. (Please note that this Tapestry has now been moved to the Lady Chapel)

11. Retracing your steps down the chancel and turning sharp left at the end of the choir stalls, you enter the LADY CHAPEL. A space has been made here for work with children, Choir practice, Prayer groups, PCC meetings etc.

12. The Sunday school at one time made a wonderful reredos behind the altar. Do open the curtain that protects it from dirt and dust to take a look. The picture is of the village and the names of all the children are round the edges. Our children’s work continues under the name of ST. MICHAELS TROOPERS and you can see some of there work on the notice board.

13. Do take time to pause and pray, take a seat and drink in the atmosphere of this lovely old building that has been used for prayer for more than 800 years, before returning down the aisle to the exit.

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