Church of St Michael

Church of St Michael in Breinton is a small parish church on the edge of Hereford, in the English county of Herefordshire. It looks like a quiet Victorian village church, yet part of its stonework dates back to around 1200. Visitors interested in medieval architecture, church monuments and the rural landscape near the River Wye will find it a rewarding short stop.

What is the history of St Michael's Church?

The first building that can be identified with certainty is a Norman church raised around 1200. Some accounts suggest that worship may have taken place on the site even earlier, though the Norman structure is the earliest firm evidence. Over the following centuries the church was altered more than once. A new chancel was built in the 14th century, and in 1833-34 a gallery was added at the west end of the nave, a typical feature of parish churches of that period.

The biggest change came in the 1860s. Between 1866 and 1870 the architect F. R. Kempson almost completely rebuilt and enlarged the old church. The restoration had been proposed by the architect James Cranston, and the work was paid for by voluntary subscription, meaning local donations rather than a single wealthy patron. Kempson did not discard everything: he reused older elements and built them into the new structure.

What can you see at the church?

The Norman doorway and window. The most important surviving medieval details are the west doorway and the window above it. They are the visible link between today's Victorian building and the church of 1200.

The exterior. The church has a nave topped by a bell turret with a short octagonal spire, a north aisle, a south porch, and a chancel with a vestry on its north side. The proportions are modest and typical of a Herefordshire village church.

The interior. Inside, the character is largely Victorian, a result of the 19th-century rebuilding. Among the furnishings are windows by Powell dating from 1874, a good example of the stained glass produced in that decade. The church also holds memorials from the 18th and 19th centuries. One of the older ones is a wall tablet from 1685 commemorating Captain Rudhall Booth.

Is the church protected?

Yes. The Church of St Michael is a Grade II listed building, first listed in 1967. This status recognises its architectural and historical interest and means that any changes to the building are controlled.

Frequently asked questions

When was St Michael's Church in Breinton built? The earliest identifiable church was Norman and dates from around 1200. The present building is mostly the result of a rebuilding carried out between 1866 and 1870.

Who rebuilt the church? The Victorian rebuilding was carried out by F. R. Kempson. The restoration had been proposed by James Cranston.

What medieval features survive? The Norman west doorway and the window above it were kept and reused in the Victorian church.

How old are the parish records? The parish registers of Breinton begin in 1625, which makes them a useful resource for anyone researching local family history.

Is it worth a visit? For lovers of church architecture, stained glass and historic memorials, yes. It is a small and peaceful place, best combined with a walk through the surrounding Herefordshire countryside and a visit to nearby Hereford.