Tuesday 26 September 2017

Churches (12) : St Michael & All Angels, Ledbury

St Michael & All Angels is the parish church of the Herefordshire town of Ledbury and is one of the finest churches in the county. The current church dates from the 12th century though the site was used for Christian worship since the 8th century.

Some parts of the original Norman building remain, notably the West door and chancel. A separate bell tower was added to the church in the 13th century, it may have been used as part of Ledbury's defences against Welsh attacks (the town being close to the border). The aisles were made wider and higher in the 15th century and the church took on the form it is in today.

The church suffered damage in the Civil War, Ledbury being the scene of fighting between the Royalists and Roundheads, musket shot damage can still be seen on the North doors. The church was renovated in the 19th and 20th centuries with new pews, stained glass and interior decorations plus repairs to the church which has grown neglected in the century before.