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St Michael the Archangel is an active Anglican church in the town of Retford, Nottinghamshire, and formerly the parish church of West Retford. It is in the parish of Ordsall & Retford and the diocese of Southwell & Nottingham.[1]
Part of the present building was dedicated on Michaelmas Day 1227 by Cardinal de Grey, Archbishop of York,[1] but much of it was rebuilt or added to during restoration work in the mid-19th century. The chancelPart of a church containing the altar, used by the officiating clergy. was lengthened in 1889, and a sacristyRoom in Christian churches for the storage of liturgical vestments, sacred vessels and parish records. added at the northeast in about 1910; the church hall was added in 1978.[2]
The church was designated a Grade II* listed buildingStructure of particular architectural and/or historic interest deserving of special protection. in 1949.[2]
Architecture
Exterior
The church is constructed of limestone ashlarMasonry of squared and finely cut or worked stone, commonly used for the facing of a building., and has tiled and leaded roofs.[2] The oldest remaining parts of the original building are the south aisle and the chapel dedicated to St Oswald. The building’s “outstanding feature”, the tower and spire, date from the early 14th century.[1]
The tower contains six bells, the earliest of which is dated 1619 and inscribed “Jesus be our
speed”. Another was originally cast in 1620 and was recast in 1885. The other four bells were cast in the 19th century.[1]
Interior
The oak high altar is probably late 20th century, and the pulpit probably dates from 1863. There is a great deal of Victorian stained glass, mainly from the 1860s to the 1890s. The carved oak chancel screenScreen separating the chancel from the nave, typically in late medieval Christion churches. by C. Hodgson Fowler, in the 15th-century style, was installed in 1899. The naveCentral part of a church, used by the laiety. is carpeted and furnished with upholstered chairs. The reredosLarge ornamented wall, screen, or other structure placed behind the altar in a Christian church. behind the altar displays a painted Adoration of the Magi by Sir Ninian Comper, and came from a church in Lincoln.[2]
Organ
The church’s organ was built by Henry Willis (1821–1901) in 1876, at a cost of £410.[1] Originally it was pumped mechanically, but that was replaced by an electric hydraulic blower in 1923.[3]