Warfield originated as a clearing in the forest which covered the local area, and was given its name by the Saxons who settled there. In the seventh century, Christianity came to Berkshire, and the tradition of Christian worship in Warfield has been unbroken to this day.
The Church Outside
Early records show that there was a chapel at Warfield in Saxon times, most probably made from wood. In 1087 work began on the present Church, beginning within the northern side. The early masons used rubble for the walls, bonded together with lime mortar, and faced outside with the local pebbly ironstone conglomerate.
The Church was doubled in size in the 14th and 15th centuries, through adding the south side. Its west tower is supposed to have been built in the 15th century, but inexplicably contains a Norman window. It has been restored several times, notably in 1913 when deep cracks appeared in the walls. The Church’s ring of ten bells dates from 1480 to 1968.
The Church Inside
Entering the Church by the south door, under a chalkstone arch, you stand in the nave lit by a ‘whole history’ of windows. There is a simple Norman slit, a Y tracery and a flatter topped ‘Perpendicular’ window along the north side. Massive octagonal chalkstone pillars help support a superb 15th century timber roof.
At the east end of the Church is the priest’s chancel, with evidence suggesting that perhaps it was built from 1330 to 1340 by the Benedictine Monks of Hurley Priory. There is a beautiful east window, seats (sedilia) and wash basin (piscina), all original and from the correct period, but the rest is a Victorian reconstruction. When Henry VIII became Head of the Church in the 1530s many ‘abominations’ were removed, including the resting place for the cross over Easter (the Easter sepulchre) to the left of the altar. Fragments of Medieval glass can be found in the faces of the south transept window figures.
The Victorian period was a time of great personal giving, and restoration work to the Church was extensive. It was carried out under the famous architect G. E. Street. He altered the interior of the Church by removing the box pews, galleries, cross-beam and plaster ceilings, all designed to simplify the nave and emphasise the beauty of the ornate furnishings of the chancel and its centrepiece, the altar.
The Churchyard and Wildlife
St. Michael’s churchyard is a place for quiet contemplation with the old graves standing amongst the grassland and trees. The churchyard supports over sixty plant species, some of which have a long association with churchyards, including: Cowslip (Keys of Heaven), Cuckoo flower (Our Lady’s smock) and Lady’s bedstraw (Our Lady’s bedstraw). There is also a fine stand of lime trees on the west perimeter of the site, and a large yew tree standing near the west tower.
Visiting St. Michael’s Church
You are very welcome to visit St. Michael’s Church. If you would like to go inside, please call at The Vicarage (next door but one on the east of the Church), telephone number 01344 882228.
To download a copy of the leaflet on St. Michael's Church go to our Leaflets Page.
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