Hudswell: St Michael & All Angels
Diocese of Leeds
Closed Church, 646326
http://www.richmondhudswellparish.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: NZ 140 4
Built 1884 to the designs of G Wheelhouse replacing an early 18th-century church, which in its turn replaced a Medieval church. There are marked graves going back to the early 18th century, confirming records which indicate the predecessor was built in 1711. The village is recorded in Domesday Book and the presence of Medieval grave slabs indicates a Medieval church on the site, and possibly burials of this date.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
None (no heating, water or toilet)
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave and chancel, south porch, north vestry, octagonal south-west tower with spirelet.
Dimensions:
Nave 12x6m, slightly narrower chancel 6m long.
Footprint of Church buildings: 219 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Significant archaeological finds have been reported in the vicinity of the church, in the form of the Medieval grave slabs built into the porch.
Area adjacent to the vestry used for the burial of ashes. Churchyard still used for inhumations. Burials from the Medieval and Post-Medieval periods and foundations and other featured related to the earlier churches can be expected on the site.
Hudswell is mentioned in Domesday book of 1086. There are a number of Post-Medieval quarries and pits in the area.
Exterior Description
The church is a typical example of such a small village church of the period, simple in style and layout, basically EE in style. Lancets to each bay, paired in the west bay of the chancel south wall, 3-light plate tracery east window with sexfoil in head, west window large sexfoil. The three lancets in the vestry may be original 13th-century windows. The SW turret with spirelet with plain arched and louvred belfry openings gives some vertical emphasis.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century
Chancel
19th century
Porch
19th century
Vestry
19th century
Tower (component)
19th century octagonal
Spire
19th century
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th century rock-faced for walling
Stone
19th century freestone dressings
Slate
19th century Westmoreland slate roof
Tile
19th century quarry for floors
Interior
Interior Description
Entry is via the SW porch, which has a carved male head from the Medieval church above the simply moulded doorway, and three cross slabs set in the side walls, 1 with wheelhead cross, sword and shears; 1 with wheelhead cross and sword, 1 with fleury cross on stepped base also from this, possibly 13th-century, not Saxon as stated in the QIR.
White-washed interior, flaking because of damp ingress, but no damp smell or puddles. Within the nave fixed pews stand on raised wooden platforms. The north-west corner has been cleared of pews, though the raised platforms remain. Moulded, arch-braced king-post roof. Stoup inside south doorway and piscina at east end are probably Medieval.
There are two steps up into the chancel. The choir stalls are fixed to raised wooden platforms. The organ is on the N side of the nave east bay. In the N wall of the chancel a door leads to the vestry, which contains the old Holy Table and lectern.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century High Altar, plain panelled chest, 20th-century. Frontal made by the congregation.
Table
18th century In vestry, 18th-century Holy Table with chunky turned legs.
Pulpit
19th century Wood, pierced panels, plain, Victorian. Stone steps.
Lectern
19th century Wood, Victorian, turned stem.
Font (component)
19th century Round bowl supported on central stone shaft, simple.
Pew (component)
19th century Open-backed pine pews set into platforms, plain.
Stall
19th century Oak choir stalls, simple.
Rail
19th century Wooden rail, plain.
Organ (component)
19th century Single manual pipe organ by Conacher of Huddersfield, a good instrument and in good order, with attractive painted pipes and working hand bellows pump.
Plaque (component)
18th / 20th century Brass wall plaque with black writing, dedicated to a previous vicar William Parker Irving 1899-1929 and Martha his wife. List of vicars since 1711.
Stained Glass
19th century South wall, one lancet. Unsigned. Christ in the sower, in memory of George Ballison vicar 1855-80.
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
in chancel
Registers not kept at church.
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 140 4
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
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 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.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
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 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
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
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 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.
Further information
Sources
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