(NT 99573223) St Mary and St Michael's Church. (1)

A 13th century church, restored in 1838, and later re-orientated. (2)

In normal use. (3)

Church of St Mary and St Michael
For detailed plan see Northumberland County History vol 15. Church was early post-Conquest, the chancel perhaps earlier, but in late 12th century, or early 13th century, a north aisle was added to the nave and a large (24' x 16') western extension was made. In 1838 the church was restored; chancel was rebuilt and shortened; and the chancel arch heightened and enlarged, but with the old materials. Later in 19th century the western extension became the chancel and the chancel became a porch and baptistery, an unusual arrangement. The architect for the work done in 1838 was Bonomi fils. (4)

Church of St Michael and St Mary. Grade I listed building. Parish church. 13th and 19th century. Three medieval grave covers built into porch. (5)

Two (Norman?) grave covers found in churchyard. One has been cut down and used in the recently refurbished enclosure wall of the church and has part of a sword and hilt-guard carved on it. The second stone lies horizontally in the graveyard and was found during grass clearance; it bears a complete sword. It is not clear whether the second stone is in situ. (Photographs in parish file). (6)

Church contains a series of war memorials as:
* a rectangular wall-mounted stone tablet bearing the inscription "GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN, THAN/ THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN/ HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS/ (NAMES)/ THEIR NAME LIVETH/ TO ALL GENERATIONS".
* a brass plaque with the inscription "IN LOVING MEMORY OF/ HERBERT PHILIP DEEDES/ CAPTAIN THE KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS/ WHO FELL IN ACTION IN FRANCE/ JULY 15 1916 AGED 34/ A CONSTANT WORSHIPPER IN THIS CHURCH/ CHURCHWARDEN OF DODDINGTON 1906 - 1915/ TENANT OF WEST FENTON 1904 - 1916".
* a single-light stained glass window in the north wall of the nave with the inscription "TO THE GLORY OF GOD/ AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF/ KENNETH STOREY MORTON,/ MAJOR R.A. (T.A.)/ OF HETTON LAW,/ WHO GAVE HIS LIFE ON/ ACTIVE SERVICE OVERSEAS/ ON 8TH NOVEMBER 1943,/ AGED 28./ ERECTED BY HIS PARENTS".
* a stained glass window in the window of the south aisle with the inscription "IN LOVING MEMORY OF/ GEOFFREY LAMBTON, LIEUT./ IN THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS/ WHO DIED FOR HIS COUNTRY AT/ VILLERS COTTERERS SEPT. 1ST 1914/ DEDICATED BY HIS PARENTS".
* a bronze plaque on the north wall of the north aisle inscribed "IN PROUD/ LOVING MEMORY OF/ SIGNALLER DOUGLAS/ MACCLESFIELD ANDERSON/ 1ST BRITISH COLUMBIA REGIMENT/ ELDER SON OF COLONEL AND MRS. ANDERSON/ THE THIRLINGS WOOLER WHO WAS KILLED/ IN ACTION AT ST. JULIENS APRIL 24TH 1915/ AGED 22./ HE TWICE SAVED HIS SERGEANT'S LIFE UNDER HEAVY FIRE/ AND WAS LAST SEEN AIDING HIS WOUNDED COMRADES". (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)

Detailed description of the church internally and externally and a structural history. The nave walls and lower portions of the side walls of the present baptistery represent a two-cell church, perhaps of early 12th century date, with the baptistery representing a conventional eastern chancel. The church appears to have been extended in the 13th century with the addition of a north aisle and an unusual western chamber the full width of the nave, connected by an inserted arched opening. The stonework in the arch appears too thin to have supported an earlier tower, as described in the County History. The north aisle is also problematic in its layout and size: the lower courses of its north wall are of some age but a 19th century manuscript describes a double nave. There is some evidence that the east wall of the aisle might once have extended further north. A dowsed plan of the church shows an even wider north aisle or perhaps a separate rectangular structure, 3.6m wide, the same length as the present aisle and overlapped by its north wall. (12)