St. Michael’s Church
is situate on the east side of Bridge-street, opposite the end of Grosvenor-street, leading to the New Bridge. The time of its foundation is uncertain, but it is supposed to have been connected with the Monastery of St. Michael, which was given to the priory of Norton by Roger de Lacy in a charter, subsequently confirmed by Henry the Second; it is recorded by Bradshaw, that “the Monastery of St. Michael was burnt by the great fire which happened on Mid-Lent Sunday in 1118, at eight of the clock (all being in church), and consumed the greatest part of the city.” It is conjectured that this monastery was situated in Bridge-street, in Rock’s-court, where, Dr. Williamson says, “before it was converted into dwelling houses, one might have beheld fair, churchlike windows, and other demonstrations of its being part of a religious house.” The chancel was rebuilt in 1496, and enlarged in 1678. The old steeple, which was built in 1710, having fallen into decay, from the perishable nature of the red sandstone, was taken down in 1849, and the present handsome structure, built with white stone, was erected in its place. The south, east, and a portion of the north walls of the church having also been found to be in a very defective state, they were taken down in 1850; in fact, the church has been almost entirely rebuilt, as none of the old walls remain, except the three internal arches, and a part of the north wall. The flat ceiling has been removed, but the nave and chancel roofs being principally constructed of oak, and in a good state of preservation, have been retained; they have, however, been re-slated. The north chancel has been entirely rebuilt and new roofed. The north aisle of the nave is divided from the body of the church by three pointed arches springing from octagonal columns, the capitals being ornamented with quatrefoils. The interior of the old building was very inconvenient, unsightly, and dilapidated, but it is now completely restored in proper ecclesiastical style. The chancel is paved with beautiful tiles, those within the communion rails being liberally given by Mr. Minton. Each compartment of the five chancel windows is surrounded with a neat border of stained glass. The style of architecture adopted in the restoration of the church is the transition from the decorated to the perpendicular, that being considered as best suited to those portions of the old building which are retained. Great credit is due to Mr. James Harrison, the architect, for the very great skill and judgment he has displayed in the restoration of the church. The total cost was about £1,700, of which the parishioners borrowed £500 on the security of the church rates; the remaining sum was raised by subscription. Besides many smaller bequests from different individuals, this parish enjoys, under the will of Dr. Robert Oldfield, dated 24th of April, 1695, “two-thirds of Dunham Hall, and other lands and messuages at Dunham-on-the-Hill, together with lands at Boughton, for the purpose of paying £20 a year to the minister, provided he hold no other preferment, and of binding poor boys apprentices born in that parish, and of maintaining one or more poor boys, who should be apt to learn, at the University.” Owing to proper objects not having every year presented themselves, the revenues have accumulated, and with the bequeathed property now produce an annual rent of upwards of £400. St. Michael’s is a perpetual curacy, in the gift of the Bishop of Chester. The present officiating minister is the Rev. J. F. Hewson.