Description

TQ 49 NE THEYDON MOUNT MOUNT ROAD
6/380 Church of St Michael the
20/2/67 Archangel. (formerly
listed an Church of
St Michael,
GV
I
Parish Church (on site of previous Church destroyed by lightning c1611. This
church completed by c1614 by Sir William Smith of Hill Hall). Red brick built
with red plain tiled roof with a small shingle spire with weathervane. The
Church comprises Chancel, Nave, Tower and South Porch. Chancel Stone East
window of 3 lights with intersecting tracery in a two centred arch, moulded
jambs and label. There is a stone vault opening under this window. Brick
buttresses, moulded plinth and moulded coping to gable with a finial. Two light
windows with four centre head and square labels to North and South walls. The
Chancel arch is plastered and moulded, with a two centre head and semi-
octangonal responds. Nave with east gable, plinth, and 2 two light windows to
North and South walls matching those of the Chancel. The West Tower of 3
stages, with angled buttresses to west corners, moulded plinth and
crenellations, has a stair turret rising to the base of the bell chamber. The
turret, with dentilled and corbelled semi-circular head is lit by two angled
windows, with joined, double, semi-circular arches, above which are a circular
and a square brick plaque. Bell chamber with 2 light openings in pointed 4
centre heads, below which is a stone pointed arch window. West window of stone
with 3 lights and intersecting tracery. This window with seven panels of
ancient stained glass fragments. The South porch has a curvilinear gable with a
moulded coping. Four centred outer archway with chamfered jambs and classic
imposts. Flanking the arch are classic pilasters standing on the imposts and
supporting an entablature and pediment. C20, 2 light stone windows with flat
labels to east and west walls. 3 cant roof construction. Nave roof of 4 bays,
Chancel roof of 3 bays, of Queen strut construction with arched braces to
collars and framed side purlins. The Church is famous for the monuments to the
Smith family. In Chancel: Sir Thomas and "Philip" his wife 1577/8 - Alabaster
effigy. Sir William Smith 1631 and his two wives HELEGENWAGH and ANNE,
recumbent alabaster effigy.Sir William Smyth and Bridget his wife, alabaster and
dark marble altar tomb with kneeling figures and reclining effigy etc. Sir
Thos. Smith Bart 1668 alabaster recumbent effigy. Sir Edward Smith Bart 1713
and Jane his wife 1720. A vault under the Chancel floor contains many of the
Smith family coffins and there are other wall monuments in the Nave. On the
South wall of Nave, C16 in black letters, the Creed and Lords Prayer. 9
Hatchments of the Smith family. A Helmet, Surcoat and Shield hang on South wall
of Chancel. The Font, against the wall by the Church door is unique, reputedly
brought by Sir William Smith from Italy and put in the Church when it was being
built. It has a black marble basin on a Corinthian column, above which is a
panel with foliated spandrels and central, recessed, fluted fan alcove with a
bearded face, whose inserted eyes are missing. Royal arms of George I to Tower
arch. C16 panelled dado and seating. C17 black and white diagonal stone
paving. Reredos around East window is of C17 fluted Corinthian pilasters.
Close to the Porch is a C17 Oak Chest. 1929 Oak altar rail in memory of Sir
Robert Hudson C.B.E. In 1955 the Hall box pew and the high reading desk
attached to the pulpit were removed and the pulpit reconstructed. Altar and
reredos installed 1957. There is a remnant floral 'CORONAL', the last of 3 (2
have perished with age) hanging from the Nave ceiling.

Listing NGR: TQ4926499236

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17536784

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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