Nominal: 1721 Hz Diameter: 18.06" Bell 1 of 3
Founded by George Dalton 1757
Dove Bell ID: 48318 Tower ID: 17554 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Cowthorpe: St Michael
Overview
Grid reference: SE 426 526
The church is built of the local stone, in large smoothly-dressed blocks, and is roofed with stone slates. The tower is the most important architectural feature. The tower has a western arch and eastern window (a reversal of the usual order) and that the western arch is flanked by buttresses and forms a deep recess. Comparable examples are at Swinbrook, Oxon., and Fugglestone, Wiltshire.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Small aisleless nave and only slightly narrower chancel; south porch, at west; small lean-to chamber on north side, also towards the west; west tower corbelled inwards and supported externally by buttresses extending outwards from west wall.
Description of Archaeology and History
c. 15th Century. It seems to be all of a piece.
Exterior Description
The church is built of the local stone, in large smoothly-dressed blocks, and is roofed with stone slates. The tower is the most important architectural feature. The tower has a western arch and eastern window (a reversal of the usual order) and that the western arch is flanked by buttresses and forms a deep recess. Comparable examples are at Swinbrook, Oxon., and Fugglestone, Wiltshire.
Within the recess is the west window, under a chamfered four-centred head, consisting of three upper and three lower cinquefoil-headed lights separated by a transom. In the middle stage of the tower are small rectangular deep-splayed openings with wooden lattices on the north and west sides; at the belfry-stage, which is divided from the stage below by a prominently projecting string-course, are two-light cinquefoiled bell-openings contained within squareheaded openings. Move the belfry-stage is a deep parapet, corbelled outwards from the face of the tower, and the parapet is castellated. The tower is much narrower west to east than it is broad.
The south porch and inner south door have triangular-shaped heads. East of the porch, which is also covered with stone slates, is a buttress with a single set-off; then the sole nave south window, of two tall cinquefoiled lights, within a single square head. At the east end of the nave wall is another buttress.
The chancel south wall has two windows of the same character as the nave, though the heads have both been renewed. There is a small south doorway with a two-centred head. The east window is both tall and wide with three principal lights and five above (wide in the centre, smaller at the sides). The lights are all cinquefoiled or (for the smaller upper ones) trefoiled. There is a four-centred head and a hoodmould terminating in blank shields. The single chancel north window is the prettiest in the church: it has two trefoiled lights bursting into flourons for the tracery at the top.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
Remains of mediaeval glass in the heads of both lights, of the south nave window (including two shields); in the head of one light of the nave north window, very faded and fragmentary; in the five upper lights of the east window; two larger segments of heraldy and canopy-work intermixed in two of the larger lights of the east window.
Interior
Interior Description
At the west, over the west window, is the round arch on bevelled-out corbels which supports the tower. The reveals of doors and windows are unexpectedly thick. Inside the south entrance the triangular outer order of the doorway is found to have an inner segmental arch; the door itself appears to be ancient. Opposite, the north doorway is blocked but it is of intriguing form: absolutely rectangular, with a stone lintel resting on massive blocks. The priest's doorway on the south side of the chancel is also square-headed to the inside. There is only the most modest diminution in scale from nave to chancel, but there is nevertheless a chancel arch with a single chamfer.
There are various signs of a fairly rigorous 19th century restoration. The walls are unplastered, the pews and stalls of pine; and the chancel and sanctuary are raised in height and paved with red, black and buff encaustic tiles. The tiling in the sanctuary bears the initials and date T J 1864; while a brass plaque on the chancel south wall records that 'This church was re-opened for Divine Service January 13th 1882 after restoration at the expense of Andrew Montagu Esq., Patron.'
Fixtures and fittings
Panelling
18th Century
Doubtless the remains of former box-pews.
Chest
The Sepulchre is wooden, free-standing, and the form is that of a chest (with a lid with iron clasps) the front of which has heavily cusped blank Perpendicular arcading; at the corners four heavy posts, with spandrels at the top, supporting a steeply gabled canopy with delightfully delicate cresting both along the edges and along the:atop. This piece was included in an exhibitionof Oak Furniture form Yorkshire Churches at Temple Newsam House, Leeds, in 1971.
Font (object)
An almost square bowl (except for the chamfered corners) on a curious four-lobed pedestal and more conventional octagonal base. All four faces have a shield incised, and the shields are flanked by (necessarily) narrow bands of blank Perpendicular tracery.
Rail
Early 17th Century
Stocky balusters; probably first quarter of 17th century.
Bells
Nominal: 1634 Hz Diameter: 20.63" Bell 2 of 3
Founded by William Oldfield (of Bradford) 1622
Dove Bell ID: 48319 Tower ID: 17554 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1543 Hz Diameter: 23" Bell 3 of 3
Founded by John Bery
Dove Bell ID: 49744 Tower ID: 17554 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 426 526
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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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