The Church of St. Michael, Billington

Contents:

•  History & Description
•  Incumbents
•  Photo & Picture Gallery

History & Description

The church of St. Michael is located at the top of Billington Hill in approximately the centre of the village. The church dates from the 13th century, with numerous changes being made up to modern times. Some features from the 13th century still remain, including the arch of the west window of the nave and the piscina of the chancel.

The chancel, which was rebuilt relatively recently, is of red sandstone rubble with larger pieces of clunch. There are also fragments of the old wall incorporated into the structure. The restored 15th century east window has three cinquefoiled lights with perpendicular tracery under a pointed head, with the jambs alone being old. The north wall of the chancel contains a square shaped recess with no moulding. Closer to the nave is a window consisting of a single trefoiled pointed light. The head of the window being modern, but the jambs being of late 13th century date. The surrounding walling is also from the original chancel. The late 13th century chancel piscina is found in the south wall. It is a trefoiled pointed piscina in two hollow-chamfered orders and a half-round label. Near to the piscina is a square headed window of two uncusped lights. Further west of this, is a single light window, similar to that on the opposite north wall.

The north and south walls of the nave, each contain two 15th century windows. Each wall has one of three cinquefoiled lights and one of two, uncusped lights. The walls are plastered and have low butresses for strength. At the west end, there are two modern butresses, which are arched over and carry an octagonal bell turret containing a single bell (see photo above). The bell turret came originally from St. Barnabas's Church, Linslade, where it had been replaced with a new tower. The west window is of two uncusped lights under a square head, which replaces a pointed window of which the label inside rests on shafts with foliate capitals, bases and moulded bands of the late 13th century.

The south doorwayof the nave is in two chamfered orders with a scroll moulded label. The porch is modern.

The font is octagonal, of plain design, and dates from the 15th century.

Incumbents

Curates

Rectors

Photo & Picture Gallery for St Michaels - click here to view the photos