St Michael

A stepped buttress marks the eastern end of the medieval church.

The top of the tower is crenellated with crocketted pinnacles at the angles, each with a gargoyle at the base.

The nave is of four bays with north and south aisles and the arcade is formed by composite fluted pillars, with elaborately carved capitals depicting angels bearing shields, with pointed arches above.

The notable wagon vaulted timber ceiling, with carved gilded bosses, was restored in the 1980s following fire damage.

Just inside the north door is a C11 font of carved Beer stone, with interlace carving depicting St Michael slaying a dragon

The nave is paved with memorial stones of various dates.

The rood screen is of oak in Perpendicular style with 32 painted panels depicting saints and bishops and was restored in 1879 by the Earl of Devon, when the paintings were discovered.

The chancel is paved with C19 tiles and includes a medieval piscina.

The elaborate oak reredos was erected in 1900, and the wall paintings on the east wall were restored in the 1980s.

The Lady Chapel was restored by Herbert Read in 1930 from C17 panelling.

There is a well carved C19 stone pulpit.

The highly decorative window glass is largely C18 or later including windows by Beer and Driffield.

The tower screen at the west end was constructed from C17 panels salvaged from the large upper gallery when it was removed in 1875.

SUBISDIARY FEATURES: the shaft of a medieval stone cross, reused as a gate post lies against the west front, part of the base is reset on the south side of the churchyard.

HISTORY: the present building is believed to date from around 1480 and is built on the site of an earlier church with possible pre-Conquest origins.

The early Norman font is the earliest feature to survive: this is a notable example, with a dragon being attacked by an archer within the scrollwork: this was copied for the 1842 font in the Temple Church, London.

The Courtenays of Powderham became patrons of the church in 1403 and their arms are incorporated into the north porch to mark their contribution towards the church's rebuilding.

A large upper gallery was erected at the west end in 1632 and removed in 1875-76 as part of a major restoration by Hayward & Son: the chancel was lengthened, and a vestry added.

Anon., 'St Michael and All Angels, Alphington Visitor's Guide (undated).

Church of St Michael is designated at Grade II* for the following principal reasons * Historical interest: an imposing late medieval parish church, itself a rebuilding of an earlier church, thus representing a millenium of christian use.

Its connection with the Courtenays, and with other local families, forms an important link with the parish's past, while the adaptations show the development of a church over the centuries. * Architectural interest: a large, late medieval Perpendicular church with interesting later alterations, reflecting developments in worship and taste, as well as masonry and joinery of a high order.

The Victorian restoration was careful and adds to the importance of the church, and recent restoration has been careful to preserve its special interest too. * Archaeological interest: this 600-year-old church occupies the site of (and may incorporate the foundations of) a much earlier church, representing Christian worship on the site for over a millennium. * Intactness: a high degree of early fabric remains. * Fixtures and Fittings: the church retains a number of features of particular note, including the font, the rood screen, and the porch.