Summary – St Michael’s Church Longstanton
General Introduction and History
The village of Longstanton has two churches – those of All Saints and St Michael’s. This reflected the fact that it used to be divided into two villages named Longstanton All Saints and Longstanton St Michael .
The small 13thcentury church of St Michael is the oldest building in the village, though sadly now redundant. It is a fine example of Early English architecture. It has a chancel, and a nave and two aisles which are thatched. The west end was rebuilt in the 15th century which bears a bellcote. The latter possibly replaced a fallen tower in the past. The interior roof beams constitute a good example of an open timber medieval roof. In the small encircling churchyard is a holy baptismal well
The church was possibly rebuilt by Philip de Stanton, the lord of Colvilles manor, in the 13th century, and the nave and chancel were renovated in the Victorian era.
The civil parishes of Longstanton St Michael and All Saints were united in 1959 when St Michael’s church became a chapel of ease to All Saints’ church. St Michael’s church was made redundant in 1973 and is now under the care of the Church Conservation Trust.
Rectors, Patrons, Benefice
The advowson (or right to appoint the rector) belonged to the lords of Colvilles manor in the past and the first recorded appointment was by Philip de Stanton of his clerk, Robert. However, the village was tiny and the living (benefice) was poor and, as a result, the rectors often resigned or exchanged the living. In the past the livings of All Saints’ and St Michael’s church were occasionally linked together, so that one rector ran both churches at times. However at the end of the 18thcentury the redoubtable rector of St Michael’s church, the Reverend James Atkins, turned the fortunes of his benefice around. In a court case against the Hattons (lords of the manors of Longstanton) he won the right to gain tithes for St Michael’s benefice from land around the Hattons’ mansion house. As a result the living of the smaller St Michael’s church became more valuable than that of All Saints’ church!
The Influence of St Michael’s church on the Gothic Revival in American Church Architecture
Amazingly St Michael’s church had a major impact on the Gothic revival in American church architecture in the 19thcentury. The Cambridge Cambden Ecclesiological Society was formed in 1836 with aim of influencing the design of church buildings, by a return to a more medieval style of architecture. It was considered that this would counteract the perceived growing secularism in the Anglican church and recall the virtues of an earlier and better time. They passed drawings of St Michael’s church to the New York Ecclesiology Society and the church of St James the Less in Philadelphia was modelled on St Michael’s church. This was noted by the influential architect, Richard Upjohn, who publicised the style to many other American churches being built at that time.
The design of St Michael’s church was found to be very suitable for many American churches as it was not too large and simple in design, was of the desired Gothic medieval style, could be adapted to various building materials and, perhaps most importantly, was modest in cost to build.
References
* Victoria County Histories – A History of Cambridgeshire, Vol IX, section on Longstanton, Cambridgeshire Public Libraries
* St Michael’s Church, Longstanton, by H A E Stroude and J Lane, Cambridge County Record Office
Note:
St Michael’s church in Longstanton is a rare thatched church situated at the far end of the village near Oakington Parish. The oldest remaining building in the village, St. Michael’s church is now redundant and in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. William Sellwood manages this building on behalf of the Churches Conservation Trust and he can be contacted at 15 Badger’s Holt, Longstanton. William tries to have the church open every Sunday afternoon from 2 -4pm, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Some of these images may also be found in the Cambridgeshire Collection.
Photographs of St. Michael’s church 2006- 2007 – Hilary Stroude Collection
