Gaer Hill: St Michael
Overview
Grid reference: ST 779 402
Simple though the building is, it is a careful design which shows the hand of a first-rate architect. Externally, it is a single vessel (with the exception of the steeply gabled south porch) with the division of nave from chancel shown only by the subtle device of a plainer ridge tile for the former.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave and chancel under one roof (differentiated externally by a change in the ridge tiles) west bell-cote and south-west porch.
Description of Archaeology and History
By William Butterfield, built 1857-8 to replace a church of 1838 by R.J. Mead. Butterfield (1814-1900) was above all the architect accepted by the Cambridge Camden (later Ecclesiological) Society, noted for his ruthless geometrical forms and abrasiveuse of "constructional polychromy". This small country church falls relatively early in his career, although he already had designs for Adelaide Cathedral; Perth Cathedral; Cumbrae College; All Saints, Margaret Street; St. Matthias, Stoke Newington; and Balliol College Chapel amongst numerous others to his credit. Gaer Hill is contemporary with St. John, Hammersmith and the rebuilding of Alvechurch, ond just preceds St. Alban's, Holborn. Butterfield probably also designed the school house and two cottages at Gaer Hill.
Exterior Description
Simple though the building is, it is a careful design which shows the hand of a first-rate architect. Externally, it is a single vessel (with the exception of the steeply gabled south porch) with the division of nave from chancel shown only by the subtle device of a plainer ridge tile for the former. There are also large buttresses north and south to show the division, together with a higher sill level for the chancel windows. The nave has two-light windows (two in the north and south walls) and the chancel, which has a blind north wall, has two trefoiled lancets in the south wall. The east window is of three lights, the middle taller and provided with a quatrefoil in the head. There is one buttress in the middle of the south chancel wall but the only other buttress is against the middle of the west gable, rising to carry the west octagonal bell-turret with its sheer ashlar masonry set on a cruciform substructure on the west gable.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
c.1857
The east window is of three lights and shows The Resurrection in a stylised mediaevalistic rendering by Alexander Gibbs, given by Lady Bath (Longleat being just to the north-east), probably of 1857. The brilliant colours and elegant draperies make this an excellent example of his work.
Stained Glass
c.1857
South chancel wall : two lights, one showing St. Paul and the other St. Michael, both given by the Hoare family, by Gibbs.
Stained Glass
The grisaille in two west lancets was also given by Lady Eath and is probably by Gibbs.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior of the church is very plain, with whitewashed plaster walls and blue plaster panels in the roof. At the west end a lower area of floor behind the back pews suggests the sort of "catechumenate" which Butterfield expressed more clearly at St. Alban's, Holborn at about this date, and this is provided with a wooden bench on stone uprights against the west wall. In the middle of the wall there is a small recess for the bell-ringer to stand in and higher up the bell-turret itself is supported on corbelling resembling that against the wall outside. The alley is paved with red and black tiles nd there are boarded floors under the pews. At the chancel arch there are two stone steps beyond which the red and black tiles continue. Within the sanctuary, marked by a third step, they are enriched by the addition of buff patterns and the footpace has a row of fluers-de-lys along the front edge. The chancel arch has a double-chamfered arch carried on semi-octagonal responds and the chancel beyond is spacious, enriched by glittering glass by Gibbs in the east and south windows (the north wall is blind). In the south wall of the sanctuary there is a trefoiled brick arch and the chancel roof is boarded. The roof of the nave is the most arresting feature of the building with four tie beams and king-posts, the space between the king-posts and the tie-beams being partly filled by wooden panels pierced with trefoils. Pierced geometrical motifs recur in the furnishings, all of which are by Butterfield.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
The altar is of oak, with three big trefoiled arches along the front, by Butterfield.
Pulpit
The pulpit is hexagonal with a single trefoil-headed arch in each face, on a big stone base ; by Butterfield.
Lectern
The lectern is an oak pedestal with trefoils pierced in the pyramidal base and a chamfered stem; by Butterfield.
Font (object)
The font has an octagonal bowl on a drum and four colonettes; presumably by Butterfield, though with little of his characteristic geometricality.
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 779 402
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
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