St Michael's Cornhill (20 & 21)
St Michael’s Church
Situated in St. Michael’s Alley, Cornhill, London, EC3V 9DS
St Michael’s is a medieval church with pre-Norman Conquest foundation. It is believed that the church was in existence in the early 1130’s. However the medieval part was lost in the Great Fire of London (apart from the tower) and replaced with what is now the present building.
Some early history shows that the church was in possession of the Abbot and convent of Evesham until 1503 when it was settled on to the Drapers Company. A new tower was built in 1421. There were lodging for the choristers which were maintained by Sir John Rudstone, unfortunately these fell into decay after his death in 1530.
Some early folklore tells a story of an apparition ‘an ugly misshapen sight’ which appeared when the bell ringers were ringing in a storm. This caused them to faint, they later discovered scratch marks in the masonry. These became the ‘Devil’s Clawmarks’.
According to the Monuments of London (City), Sir Christopher Wren had the church completely rebuilt after the Great Fire at the cost of £4,686.10s,with the exception of the tower which was restored. In 1721 Wren also replaced the tower. Sir Nicolas Hawksmoor completed the upper stages of the tower.
More repairs in 1790. The church then went through further restoration work under Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1860. More work took place in 1868.
There many things to see inside St Michael’s, the reredos (altar screen) representing Aaron and Moses was painted by Robert Streater. Decoration over the main porch was by John Birnie Philip ‘St Michael disputing with Satan. Many of the columns are adorned with angels.
Stained glass by Clayton and Bell was installed. The Representation of Christ in the large circular East window to be admired. The organ originally built by Renatus Harris in 1684 but much altered and enlarged, last restoration 2011.
There is a First World War memorial outside the church, a statue of St Michael by Richard Reginald Goulden.
Fortunately the church escaped damage in WWII, it was designated Grade 1 listing in 1950. In 1960 the Victorian paintwork was replaced by a more subdued scheme of Gold, Blue and White. In 2011 a new set of 12 bells were installed in the tower cast by Taylors of Loughborough.
St Michael's Cornhill (20 & 21)
St Michael’s Church
Situated in St. Michael’s Alley, Cornhill, London, EC3V 9DS
St Michael’s is a medieval church with pre-Norman Conquest foundation. It is believed that the church was in existence in the early 1130’s. However the medieval part was lost in the Great Fire of London (apart from the tower) and replaced with what is now the present building.
Some early history shows that the church was in possession of the Abbot and convent of Evesham until 1503 when it was settled on to the Drapers Company. A new tower was built in 1421. There were lodging for the choristers which were maintained by Sir John Rudstone, unfortunately these fell into decay after his death in 1530.
Some early folklore tells a story of an apparition ‘an ugly misshapen sight’ which appeared when the bell ringers were ringing in a storm. This caused them to faint, they later discovered scratch marks in the masonry. These became the ‘Devil’s Clawmarks’.
According to the Monuments of London (City), Sir Christopher Wren had the church completely rebuilt after the Great Fire at the cost of £4,686.10s,with the exception of the tower which was restored. In 1721 Wren also replaced the tower. Sir Nicolas Hawksmoor completed the upper stages of the tower.
More repairs in 1790. The church then went through further restoration work under Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1860. More work took place in 1868.
There many things to see inside St Michael’s, the reredos (altar screen) representing Aaron and Moses was painted by Robert Streater. Decoration over the main porch was by John Birnie Philip ‘St Michael disputing with Satan. Many of the columns are adorned with angels.
Stained glass by Clayton and Bell was installed. The Representation of Christ in the large circular East window to be admired. The organ originally built by Renatus Harris in 1684 but much altered and enlarged, last restoration 2011.
There is a First World War memorial outside the church, a statue of St Michael by Richard Reginald Goulden.
Fortunately the church escaped damage in WWII, it was designated Grade 1 listing in 1950. In 1960 the Victorian paintwork was replaced by a more subdued scheme of Gold, Blue and White. In 2011 a new set of 12 bells were installed in the tower cast by Taylors of Loughborough.