Church of St Michael the Archangel

Details

TQ 49 NE THEYDON MOUNT MOUNT ROAD 6/380 Church of St Michael the 20/2/67 Archangel. (formerly listed an Church of St Michael, GV I Parish Church (on site of previous Church destroyed by lightning c1611. This church completed by c1614 by Sir William Smith of Hill Hall). Red brick built with red plain tiled roof with a small shingle spire with weathervane. The Church comprises Chancel, Nave, Tower and South Porch. Chancel Stone East window of 3 lights with intersecting tracery in a two centred arch, moulded jambs and label. There is a stone vault opening under this window. Brick buttresses, moulded plinth and moulded coping to gable with a finial. Two light windows with four centre head and square labels to North and South walls. The Chancel arch is plastered and moulded, with a two centre head and semi- octangonal responds. Nave with east gable, plinth, and 2 two light windows to North and South walls matching those of the Chancel. The West Tower of 3 stages, with angled buttresses to west corners, moulded plinth and crenellations, has a stair turret rising to the base of the bell chamber. The turret, with dentilled and corbelled semi-circular head is lit by two angled windows, with joined, double, semi-circular arches, above which are a circular and a square brick plaque. Bell chamber with 2 light openings in pointed 4 centre heads, below which is a stone pointed arch window. West window of stone with 3 lights and intersecting tracery. This window with seven panels of ancient stained glass fragments. The South porch has a curvilinear gable with a moulded coping. Four centred outer archway with chamfered jambs and classic imposts. Flanking the arch are classic pilasters standing on the imposts and supporting an entablature and pediment. C20, 2 light stone windows with flat labels to east and west walls. 3 cant roof construction. Nave roof of 4 bays, Chancel roof of 3 bays, of Queen strut construction with arched braces to collars and framed side purlins. The Church is famous for the monuments to the Smith family. In Chancel: Sir Thomas and "Philip" his wife 1577/8 - Alabaster effigy. Sir William Smith 1631 and his two wives HELEGENWAGH and ANNE, recumbent alabaster effigy.Sir William Smyth and Bridget his wife, alabaster and dark marble altar tomb with kneeling figures and reclining effigy etc. Sir Thos. Smith Bart 1668 alabaster recumbent effigy. Sir Edward Smith Bart 1713 and Jane his wife 1720. A vault under the Chancel floor contains many of the Smith family coffins and there are other wall monuments in the Nave. On the South wall of Nave, C16 in black letters, the Creed and Lords Prayer. 9 Hatchments of the Smith family. A Helmet, Surcoat and Shield hang on South wall of Chancel. The Font, against the wall by the Church door is unique, reputedly brought by Sir William Smith from Italy and put in the Church when it was being built. It has a black marble basin on a Corinthian column, above which is a panel with foliated spandrels and central, recessed, fluted fan alcove with a bearded face, whose inserted eyes are missing. Royal arms of George I to Tower arch. C16 panelled dado and seating. C17 black and white diagonal stone paving. Reredos around East window is of C17 fluted Corinthian pilasters. Close to the Porch is a C17 Oak Chest. 1929 Oak altar rail in memory of Sir Robert Hudson C.B.E. In 1955 the Hall box pew and the high reading desk attached to the pulpit were removed and the pulpit reconstructed. Altar and reredos installed 1957. There is a remnant floral 'CORONAL', the last of 3 (2 have perished with age) hanging from the Nave ceiling.

Listing NGR: TQ4926499236

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

118052

Legacy System:

LBS

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