Hanford: St Michael and All Angels
Overview
Grid reference: ST 845 111
This church is a plain building with no pretensions to grandeur, built of the same warm Dorset stone as the house. The walls are of coursed ashlar, pierced by three Y—traceried windows in each side wall; a larger east window consists of three round-headed cinquefoil cusped lights with small vertical cusped panels in the head.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
A simple, single-cell.building, with porch at the west end and bell-cote on the gable. A porch on the north side leads directly down to the crypt.
Description of Archaeology and History
It appears that some of the stones of the church are of mediaeval origin, but as it now stands the building is almost entirely a re-construction of the mid - seventeenth century, probably in connection with the manor house.
Exterior Description
The manor house is now a girls' school, and the proximity of the church makes it ideal for use as the chapel. It is a plain building with no pretensions to grandeur, built of the same warm Dorset stone as the house. The walls are of coursed ashlar, pierced by three Y—traceried windows in each side wall; a larger east window consists of three round-headed cinquefoil cusped lights with small vertical cusped panels in the head. The door in the west wall probably survives from the mediaeval building with little change, but the porch which protects it is entirely a product of the odd mixture of styles associated with the early 17th century. The doorway has a low elliptical arch support on bold bulging capitals which cap pilasters carved as architraves set vertically. The porch has a flat roof concealed by a parapet with a moulded course. In the north side of the parapet is a stone bearing the date ANNO DO 1650, but this has been reset. It may refer to the porch but the rest of the building certainly seems earlier.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
19th Century
One 19th century window remains; it is a representation of the text "Suffer the little children".
Interior
Interior Description
Inside, the church is arranged for use as chapel, with seats arranged to face the central space. The walls are plastered and painted, and the windows are filled with clear glass, the 19th century representations of such subjects as the Resurrection with particularly gory corpses having been removed by the school authorities as unsuitable for the contemplation of their young charges. The small altar stands on three steps at the east end, the floor here being of encaustic tiles unlike the rest of the church which is paved with the same stone as used for the exterior walls. The roof is a plain plastered barrel vault.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
Stone
Painting
A painting hangs above the west door, which appears to be of a subject perhaps connected with St. Paul.
Organ (object)
19th Century
The organ is a little early 19th century instrument of five stops. The pipes are mostly arranged horizontally so that it is not much larger than an upright piano.
Churchyard
Grid reference: ST 845 111
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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