Whitby: St Michael
Overview
Grid reference: NZ 900 109
The site of the church presents difficulties since it is the east end of the church which forms the frontage on Church Street, and the entrance is therefore placed between the north wall of the chancel and the adjoining school. The chancel itself is a strong feature in the street, with stepped buttresses either side of a triple lancet window. Below this window, a railing encloses the entrance to the crypt.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Aisleless nave of nine short bays, with one bay chancel projecting to the east, having a porch on either side. Vestry added at south-west corner of nave.
Exterior Description
The site of the church presents difficulties since it is the east end of the church which forms the frontage on Church Street, and the entrance is therefore placed between the north wall of the chancel and the adjoining school. The chancel itself is a strong feature in the street, with stepped buttresses either side of a triple lancet window. Below this window, a railing encloses the entrance to the crypt. On each side of the chancel is a pair of porches, one now cut off internally by the organ. The east walls of the nave which rise above these porches each have a lancet light. Although there is an open space outside the west end of the church, this is only accessible through the building. The west front is articulated by buttresses which separate -the three lancets in the middle from the smaller single lancets each side, thus giving the impression of aisles although the church in fact has none. The central lancets are of equal height and there is an octofoil light above in a strong circular moulding. The stone bell-Cote stands at.the apex of the gable. The windows are all in the end walls, the side walls being totally blank because of other buildings formerly built against them. There are, however, four sky-lights in the roof of the nave just above eaves level on both sides. The exterior walls are faced with ashlar masonry.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1842 & 1862
The glass in the three east lancets and in the centre west lancet is of 1842 and 1862 by an unnamed maker. The windows are rich and the figures in the panels well drawn. The subjects are scenes from the life of Christ.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior of the church is .somewhatdark in.spite of the sky-lights because these are small and the other windows have a fair amount of stained glass. The bays of the nave are emphasised by stout rectangular projections which stand out from the walls down each side. Each has a small half-column attached near the top, and they support the roof beams. The nave is a sea of pews from wall to wall with a narrow chequered central aisle. The west end is divided off with a wooden screen to form a vestry and baptistry area. The lancet windows look a little misplaced within - the wall was obviously designed with the exterior effect in mind. The Open timber roof of the nave is of queen-post type with curved tie-braces.
To the left of the chancel arch is the main entrance door behind a screen, and the organ stands in the corner of the nave to the right of the chancel arch. The choir stalls also occupy this east bay of the nave, the chancel being the Sanctuary. Choirstalls and organ have been painted a pale colour. The pulpit stands before the organ, and the brass eagle lectern is on the north side. In the sanctuary, the east wall is mostly taken up by the three large lancet windows, all with stained glass. Below these, a stone wall arcade stretches from one side to the other. There are two panels on each side of the altar, the outer ones with inscriptions and those adjacent to the altar having groups of angels. The reredos consists of a wooden painted panel of the Crucifixion with doors containing a saint on either side; the head of the panel and of the doors is filled with gilded wooden tracery and above is a traceried tabernacle.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
Oak table.
Reredos
1920
The reredos consists of a wooden painted panel of the Crucifixion.
Lectern
The lectern is a bulbous brass eagle with stylised wings.
Pulpit
The pulpit is of stone, octagonal with heads in circular panels on three sides and floral patterns in octagonal frames in the other visible sides.
Organ (object)
The organ is a two-manual instrument with electric action and tab stops.
Font (object)
19th Century
The font is a stock nineteenth century hexagonal design.
Stall
The Choirstalls have arcading along the front. They are wooden, painted.
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 900 109
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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