Church of St Michael

St Michael's Church in Malton is the parish church of the North Yorkshire market town of Malton, and one of the oldest buildings in the town centre. Its roots go back to about 1150, and parts of the Norman structure can still be seen inside.

What is St Michael's Church in Malton?

It is an Anglican parish church in Malton, in North Yorkshire, England. The building has been listed Grade II* since 1951, a status given to particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Its coordinates are roughly 54.135 N, 0.799 W, in the heart of the town.

How old is the church?

The earliest record dates to around 1150. At that time the Gilbertine Priory at Old Malton received two Norman churches in New Malton, St Michael and St Leonard, as chapels of ease, meaning smaller churches serving people living far from the mother church. Much of the nave survives from this medieval period.

Why did Malton have two churches?

Local tradition offers more than one explanation. One idea is that the town had a "Castle Centre" and a "Market Centre", with St Leonard's serving the castle area and St Michael's serving the market. Another suggests that the priory's monks preferred two small subordinate churches to one large church that could rival the priory itself. Neither explanation is certain.

How has the building changed over the centuries?

The church has been altered many times:

• 15th century: the tower was added, and the nave was slightly shortened.
• 1858: the chancel was rebuilt.
• 1883: the architect George Fowler Jones rebuilt the south arcade and the east end of the nave, removed two galleries and added transepts.
• 1966: the south side was rebuilt.
• Around 1986: the roof of the north aisle was replaced.

This layering of work from different eras is part of the building's appeal for anyone interested in English church architecture.

What can you see inside?

Look for the Norman pillars and their carved capitals in the north aisle, and the capitals on the pillars of the south aisle. These are among the oldest surviving parts of the church. The font is also worth a look: it is of unusual design and is thought to be about as old as the church itself.

Frequently asked questions

Is St Michael's Church in Malton old? Yes. It dates back to around 1150, with a 15th-century tower and substantial Victorian restoration.

Is the church listed? Yes, it has been Grade II* listed since 1951.

What else is in Malton connected to the church's history? The second Norman church, St Leonard's, was given to the Gilbertine Priory at Old Malton at the same time as St Michael's, so the two share an early history.

Is it a good stop for history lovers? Yes. Visitors interested in medieval architecture can see Norman details alongside Victorian and later alterations in a single building in the town centre.