Architectural Features
Perpendicular west tower, probably C15, though the base may be earlier.
North chapel (Savile chapel) 1447 extended by one bay 1493.
Chancel and South chapel 1490.
Gabled south porch has elaborate frieze to parapet carved with 8 angels and Christ in the apex.
Interior: Important collection of monuments to the Savile family in the Savile chapel: long effigy of a cross-legged knight in chain-mail with shield and sword, has head under a canopy, the face restored, thought to be of Sir John de Thofnhill
an oak tomb chest, 1529, formerly under a four-poster canopy, with effigies to Sir John Savile and his two wives, Alice Vernon and Elizabeth Paston.
a large monument, between this chapel and the chancel, to Sir George Savile and his wife Anne, sister of Sir Thomas Wentworth.
A huge Renaissance monument of two sides between the Chancel and the Savile Chapel to an earlier Sir George Savile (†1614) and his wife Anne. The view is of the monument from the Chancel.
Paired columns to each side support a segmental arch with large achievement and figure to each side and to top.
At the foot of this on the north side is the kneeling figure of their 2nd son, and on the chancel side a reclining figure of their 1st son, holding a book and a skull, who died whilst studying at Oxford
a small alabaster baby lying on its back and holding a basin for a font, to the 2nd Lord Savile by Amy Lewis.
In the south chapel are C18 wall memorials to the Elmsall family and an empty tomb recess in the south wall.
At the base of the tower is a good mid C18 wall memorial, consisting of a cartouche with supporting cherubs, and a skull and wings at the base.
Much original glass survives.
In the Savile chapel a window on the north side has the name Thome Savill and the date 1447 The east window of the chapel, a 'doom window' and very faded, has the name Wiliam Sayvile and the date 1493 The chancel east window bears the tree of Jesse, and was donated by Robert Frost, parson, and is dated 1499.
Other windows have fragments of early glass.
Set in the screen between the chancel and south chapel is a stained glass escutcheon of Phillip Waterhouse bearing the motto BEE FAST.
Excellent chancel roof of c.1877 with traceried panelling and cusped and traceried bracings to the 6 irregularly placed tie-beams each of which ends in a well carved angel.
Octagonal panelled stone font with oak ribbed and crocketted cover c.1866.
Elaborate stone pulpit.
B. Nuttall, A History of Thornhill (inc. The Church of St. Michael & All Angels), 1970.
SE2518 : Thornhill, St Michael & All Angels