E's been on holiday all week so we spent a few days in Herefordshire. On the Wednesday B was busy weeding the small garden we have inherited from the previous plot holders and E was happy with her phone so I decided to go along and have a look at the Church of St Michael at Bockleton which is only 10 minutes drive away. I didn't do much research beforehand as I couldn't find the church in any of my Herefordshire books. Not surprising really as I discovered it is just over the border in Worcestershire although it is under the Leominster Team Ministry which is a trifle confusing! Anyway I was in for a surprise as the church was much older than I thought it would be!
Timothy enjoying the 15th century timber lych gate although I have to admit I left him in my bag in the car (we didn't want a repeat of him falling out of my pocket experience!).
This Parish Church dates back to the 12th century with the nave dating back to c1160, the North Chapel was added c1560 and there were more alterations in the 17th century. The Chancel is mid 13th century. The church interior was restored in 1862 by Woodyer. St Michael's is built of sandstone rubble with ashlar dressings and a stone-tiled roof. Two original round headed windows flank the Norman doorways.
A notice on the lychgate suggested the church was open for private prayer on Sundays and another note on the North doorway suggested you should use hand sanitiser on entering and leaving and stay at the rear of the church. To be honest I am still not keen on going into buildings so I didn't even bother to try the door to see if it was open. There was plenty of interest around the exterior and churchyard to keep me occupied.
The Norman North Door is of two orders with two large roll mouldings between cable mouldings with an outer band of embattled and lozenge decoration. The jambs have detached shafts with scalloped capitals and the spandrels are carved with flowers in circles. The arcade above has five bays and some of the capitals have carved stone heads.
I was thrilled to see that, although the churchyard to the front of the church was all neat and tidy, to the rear of the church many parts had been left to go a "little wild" so that wildlife could flourish.
The Norman South Doorway had a portaloo in front of it!
The South Doorway is of a single order with a four bay arcade.
The West Tower was added in the late 16th or early 17th century.
There were many interesting old gravestones - some draped with ivy and others covered in lichen.
This has an inscription to Elizabeth Knight who died in October 1823 or 1825.
East window - exterior view. One day when life becomes more "normal" I will visit the interior as there seems quite a bit of interest to see.
Another lychgate - both were propped open which was good!
Mounting block
There was a farm next door.
B won't be happy that I am purchasing another book but I have now ordered a second hand copy of Mike Salter's "Old Parish Churches of Worcestershire" to go with the other 3 I have on Herefordshire, Shropshire and Warwickshire. Pevsner for Shropshire and Worcestershire would be good additions but I really can't justify the expense!!
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera
Reference: Historic Englands Website
