Church of St Michael (EHER 3572)

The Church of St Michael parish church has its origins in the 14th and 15th centuries. The chancel and north aisle probably date from the 14th century, with the west tower added in the 15th. The church was restored in around 1833 and mainly rebuilt around 1870 by Henry Stone.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. Parish church of St Michael. The chancel and north aisle probably date to the 14th century and there was also a south chapel during this period. The west tower was added in the 15th century. The church was restored in the 19th century (around 1833) when the nave was rebuilt, the chancel refaced and the south chapel and aisle built. Features and fittings include windows and window details of the 14th, 14th or 15th, and 15th centuries and 14th and 15th century doorways. There are 15th century strap hinges on the door in the doorway to the turret of the tower; a 15th century niche in the external wall of the north aisle and a 14th century piscina in the chancel. <1> <2> <3> Nothing is visible of the 1833 rebuilding beneath the restoration of 1870. The walls are of septaria and flint-rubble with limestone dressings. The roofs are tiled and lead-covered. <4> The name ‘Kirby’ originates from two Scandinavian-derived words, i.e. ‘Kirk’ meaning church and ‘by’ meaning village.<7> "The Scandinavian-derived name, meaning 'Church Village' is of great interest since it obviously implies a church here by, or during the Danish period". Graded CIb by Rodwell. <5> A site assessment determined that it was in good condition, much rebuilt. <2> The church is essentially a Victorian Gothic building. The west tower is massive, but undistinguished. The graveyard is partly tidied and the gravestones have been moved. The Scandinavian-derived name of 'Church Village' makes archaeological investigation worthwhile for this reason alone. Archaeological potential is otherwise unknown and no major threats at present. <5> 2005. Structural investigation. A narrow test hole was dug to investigate structural problems in the SW corner of the south aisle. Findings revealed a infilled cut feature which may have contributed to the subsidence.<6> July and October 2007. Excavation. Underpinning trenches excavated around the south aisle exposed a substantial 19 century foundation from which dressed stone and window jambs were recovered. Three elm waterlogged piles were found at the junction of the tower and south aisle and their radio-carbon date accords with the preposed 14th to 15th century of the tower. Within the church two lead coffins of a possible 18th or 19th century date were exposed and two articulated inhumations were uncovered within the underpinning trenches <7> Additional references: <8> <9>