St. Michael, Bishop's Cleeve, Gloucestershire

Description

The church of St. Michael is a large cruciform structure of stone, mostly in the Norman style, with some later additions, and consisting of chancel, nave of three bays, aisles, transepts, a noble south porch of curious workmanship and an embattled central tower with pinnacles, containing a clock and 5 bells with chimes: there is a handsome marble monument with two recumbent effigies to the De la Bere family, dating from 1735 to 1742, and restored in 1803 by Thomas Baghott De la Bere esq.: in the south transept, in a recess, is the recumbent effigy of a knight, cross-legged, and still bearing traces of colouring: at the east end of the south aisle is a recumbent effigy of a nun, and there are remains of mural paintings on the wall of the north aisle: in 1898 a stained window was erected to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria, and there is also a memorial window to Arthur Henry Jones Carroll, d. 1890, and another erected by Miss S. E. Meadows, of Blockley, and a memorial brass to the Rev. William Lawrence, 56 years rector of this parish, d. 1883: the beautiful triptych in this church, painted by Eadie Reid, was given by the widow of the Rev. B. F. Heming M.A. curate here 1871-83 and rector of the parish 1883-95: at the west end is a handsome carved oak gallery, and a massive oak chest with three heavy locks: the church has been restored since 1897 at a cost of about £4,000: there are 350 sittings.

Church Records

The parish register dates from the year 1563.