Description

MARAZION ST MICHAELS MOUNT
SW 53 SW

1/55 The Church of Saint Michael

GV I

Priory church, later parish church now chapel. Circa 1135 built for Bernard of Le
Bec, remodelled and mostly rebuilt in the C14 following damage by earthquake in 1275,
some C15 work and restored by Piers St Aubyn circa late C19. Granite ashlar and
granite rubble with granite dressings. Dry Delabole slate roofs over nave and
slightly higher chancel and choir roof. Embattled parapets.
Plan: nave, central tower and choir/chancel. Organ at west end. Former Lady Chapel
adjoins north east corner converted to part of the house (St Michaels' Mount qv)
circa 1760. Also adjoins the house at the west end. Tower has stair in north east
corner with 'St Michaels' Chair', a medieval lantern cross, at the top. Very thick
walls throughout, built on bed rock. Cell under south-east corner where a 7' long
human skeleton was found.
Exterior : C14 and earlier walls, C14 or C15 windows.and doorways. Parapets and
copings rebuilt in the C19. 2 stage tower, ie top stage above nave/chancel parapet
level.
North wall: four 2-light traceried windows : 2 for the chancel, 1 for the tower (and
to upper stage) and 1 for the chancel. 3 north doorways : 1 to the crypt far left, 1
to the chancel and principal doorway right; the chancel and nave doorways are
approached by steps. The nave doorway is freestone with square head within steep 4-
centred arch. 1826 balustrade in front incorporating medieval cross. The tower has
2-light windows with louvred lights. East gable end has rose window over two 2-light
windows. South wall has similar windows to those of the north wall, west gable end
has square rose window in the gable.
Interior : C15 roof structure, restored in the C19. No wall plaster. Stone flagged
floor.
Fittings : carved Norman capital as font; fine C19 reredos with C15 alabaster panels;
bells originally 1385 and 1408, restored 1906, and turret clock of circa 1780, in
tower.
Glass : much fine C16 and C17 glass.
Organ : 1786 by John Avery of Bristol.
Sources : report by Colonel Drewitt; St Michael's Mount by John St Aubyn; The
National Trust guide pamphlets.

Listing NGR: SW5144929848

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17529522

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.

Recommended Books

• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
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  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
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  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version