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St Michael

Betchworth

Surrey

Saxon origins with Pre-Conquest fragments in Tower

Architectural Features

Later C11 tower walling, since moved, with enlargement in Early C13

South aisle circa 1200, north aisle slightly later with later C13 chancel and Lady Chapel to south

Church restored by E. C. Hakewill in 1850 when original Norman crossing tower was moved and tower built at end of south aisle, further restorations of 1870

Originally low, Saxon stone church with central Norman crossing tower, now with tower to south

Pentice aisle to south with C14 windows

Lady Chapel -:C19 net tracery window on east end, C14 window on south side

C14 aisle windows, those in small 2-light, trefoil- head openings with cusped, vesica-shaped quatrefoil over, tinder plain hood moulding (circa 1320). Two-light window to west with cinque-foil heads under pointed, segmental arch, terminals of hood moulding carved into Canon's heads

Interior:- Plain,cusped braced roof, C15 timber roof in tower (moved with it in C19). Round pier nave arcades of c.1200 with half-octagonal pier responds to north, three bay arcade to south with one round pier and one octagonal pier both with moulded plinths and caps

Chancel arch C13, raised and widened in 1850, adjacent nave arches also of similar date with 3 recessed chamfered orders, one capital reset in tower of pre-conquest date

Arch between south aisle and tower post conquest C11 - originally, a crossing arch and reset in 1850 - with two square orders and cushion capitals on chamfered abaci

Tub font on round plinth, 1951 by Eric Kennington,with carvings of St Michael and the Madonna and chain links to base

Florid multicoloured marble pulpit c1885, 5 different types of stone with inlay panels of Faith, Hope and Love on triple columned stem and with wrought- iron balustrade to stair

Photo coming soon