St. Michael and all Angels Church, Ravenstone
The present church is located in a picturesque setting in the heart of the village of Ravenstone, opposite Ravenstone Hospital - almshouses, and close to the impressive Ravenstone Hall. The church is of local sandstone believed to have been quarried at the Altons nearby in the parish. The spire is a broach spire, unusual for the area.
The immediate vicinity is a Conservation Area and a number of ancient trees are subject to preservation orders. Unfortunately, one of the oldest trees, in the churchyard, a 120 year old cedar had to be felled in 1995 due to its dangerous condition.
The church itself, is believed to date back to 1323 but it is thought that there may have been a building on the site before this time. It is well worth a stroll around the outside of the church and churchyard to study the site and structure of this beautiful building.
The main entrance to the church is via a timber lychgate, dedicated in 1965 to the memory of Sidney James and Helen Mary Francis.
Once in the churchyard, the sloping path to the door leads you by a headstone in memory of two brothers from the village who fell during the Crimean war, and further on is the War Memorial to those from the village who gave their lives during both World wars. This memorial is believed to be constructed of crushed shells from the east coast.
Before entering the church, on the west wall of the bell tower can be seen a stone figure of St. Michael, and further round, on the north wall is an external recess beneath a window which was probably a 'leper squint'
“If anybody would like to expand to this series please do, I would just ask that you could let Sadexploration know first so he can keep track of the Church numbers and names to avoid duplication. There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page found via the Bookmark list”
CONGRATULATIONS TO TWOMONKEYS2004 ON FTF