Weight: 434 lbs Diameter: 26" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1965
Dove Bell ID: 50373 Tower ID: 17911 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Amersham-on-the-Hill: St Michael & All Angels
Overview
Grid reference: SU 965 986
Prior to 1966 Amersham-on-the-Hill was part of a Parish which included new and old Amersham. On the 1st of January 1966 Amersham-on-the-Hill became a Conventional District, with the same boundaries as the current Parish, and on 15th September 1973 it became a Parish. Before 1919 there was no building dedicated to Anglican worship in Amersham-on-the-Hill. During the First Word War land was acquired for an Anglican church and hall. In 1919 plans were drawn up for a large church on the site, and in July 1919 a foundation stone was laid “in thanksgiving for victory and peace”. It was soon realised that the plans were too ambitious and expensive, so in February 1920 it was decided that temporary provision should be made. A modest church was to be set back on the site so that it could become the church hall when a grander church could be built in front. It was ready for its first service on 19th December 1920. In June 1930 a new hall was completed in front of the church and shortly afterwards a curate’s house was built adjacent to the hall (the current vicarage). In 1955 agreement was given to sell part of the site to raise money for a new church and in August 1959 plans for the new church were agreed by the Planning Department. The sale of the land was completed in June 1961. In December 1964 the contract for the new St. Michael’s was let and in February 1965 proposals for conversion of the old church to the hall were agreed. Work started on site in March 1965, and the new church fronting onto Sycamore Road, the principal shopping street of Amersham on the Hill, was dedicated on September 17th 1966. By 1970 problems were encountered with the new church, including leaking of the tower, cracking of the floor and poor acoustics. In 1974 prolonged discussions began about selling the site and moving elsewhere. In 1986 new offices were built on the balcony in the south transept. In 1988 it was decided to demolish the church and vicarage and to build a new Christian Centre on the site. However, in 1989 these plans were shelved due to the slump in the property market. In 2002 it was decided to stay on the site and to invest in refurbishing and improving the existing buildings. In 2005 the leaking roofs and tower were repaired, and during 2006 – using funds raised - the interior of the church was refurbished and the layout of the church rooms and Hall improved. The final phase of the refurbishment, which transformed the 1960’s forecourt into St Michael’s Square, was completed in August 2012 after further fundraising and extensive consultation. A space which was predominantly tar macadam and concrete was reconfigured into a “town square”, with seating amongst trees and borders and creation of a quiet garden and a labyrinth. The architects were Jane Duncan Associates, construction was undertaken by DBC Constructing Limited, and the angel feature surrounding the glass doors was created by local glass artist Suzanne Raffellini.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Exterior Description
The church buildings comprise the church itself with the associated meeting rooms, the church hall behind, which used to be the church, and the vicarage. The church was designed by the architect A. Hodson Archard who also designed the Roman Catholic churches of The Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. John the Evangelist at Bushey and St. Aidan at Little Chalfont. It was built by the local builders H. J. and A. Wright. The church is cruciform in shape with a Lady Chapel at the east end. The following is a brief guide to the main features. There are separate notes available about the icons and glass door surrounds.
The statue of St. Michael over the West door is by Joseph Cribb (1892 to 1967) who was Eric Gill’s first apprentice from 1906 to 1913, and continued as his life long associate. The ceramic plaque of the Madonna at south end of portico used to be on the north end of the old church hall. The foundation stone on the north wall is from the 1919 building.
The Narthex (west porch): A statuette of The Good Shepherd is over the door to the nave. This Royal Copenhagen statuette is also by Joseph Cribb.
Interior
Interior Description
The Nave: The organ on the balcony over the Narthex is a very fine 1895 Walker organ which used to be in the old church and was originally from a house in Coleshill. It was rebuilt in 1966 and cleaned and re-leathered in 2016. The statue of Christ the King over the west door used to hang in the old church. The large hanging statue of Christ the King over the sanctuary is an enlarged copy by Joseph Cribb of the above. The votive candle stand was donated in memory of Lewis Goldsmith and his wife, Anne Rebecca Waller Goldsmith, resident in the Parish from 1912 to 1949. There is also a book of remembrance.
The North Transept: This contains the 1965 foundation stone. There is also a moveable oak font and a Pascal (Easter) candle stand.
The South Transept: The Parish office is on the balcony over the south transept.
The Sanctuary: Around the sanctuary are the communion rails. The seats (sedilias) and praying desks (prie-Dieu, literally pray God) were given by Major Boyce. There is also a lectern. The altar is the only consecrated area in the church and is therefore marked by five crosses representing Christ’s wounds; four on its top and one on the front. It is usually covered with a fair linen cloth and dust cover with a frontal and super-frontal in liturgical colours (colours to suit the church’s seasons). The rustic cross, made by Michael Darvill, has a drape in the liturgical colour. There are two small tables (credence tables). Over the Sanctuary are the tower and bell. The tower is of such a height that it can be seen from all parts of the town. The single bell in the tower was made in the Whitechapel Bell-foundry and is rung electrically. A glass screen separates the main church from the Lady Chapel.
The Lady Chapel: Behind the altar at the east end of the Lady Chapel is a carved and painted reredos (meaning behind the back). It was given by Lady Kenwood in memory of her son who died in the Second World War. It shows Christ nailed to a tree flanked by angels. The four shields on the tree show the scroll of the Torah (the Books of the Law in the Old Testament) and the book of the Gospels; the scales often associated with St. Michael; the food (fish) and the purse that Jesus said that the disciples had to take with them when visiting; and the lily associated with the Virgin Mary. At either end of the top are Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, signifying God. The linenfold screen also came from the old church. A tabernacle (small safe) is used for housing the reserved host (consecrated bread and wine). There is also an aumbry (book cupboard). The statue of the Madonna at the Wayside was presented by the Mothers Union in the 1970s in memory of Dorothy Noakes. The alms (collection) tray was carved by the nephew of Jim Laverty in his memory. The Missal (prayer book) stand was given by Mrs. Pounsberry. The sanctuary lamp is lit when the reserved host is in the Tabernacle. The small altar has a small linen cloth, called a Laudian cloth, and small wooden cross. The Bishop’s chair has the coat of arms of the Oxford Diocese. There is also a prie-Dieu.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SU 965 986
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
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.