The Church of St Michael in Trefeglwys is a peaceful and uncluttered Victorian replacement of the original medieval building. The site was initially used by a monastic community in the mid 12th century but it is thought it had been an early medieval burial ground before that. The site was granted to the Augustinians at Haughmond Abbey around 1150. Little of the foundations for that early church remain. The church that stands today was almost entirely rebuilt in 1863 by Poundley and Walker. The only element that definitely predates the reconstruction are the substantial oak beams supporting the tower, thought to be 17th century. St Michael's is a simple church, understated and subtle in its decoration. The windows are all plain glass, topped with cinquefoil light in the nave and quatrefoils in the chancel. Aside from the encaustic tiles of the chancel, the most decorated elements of the church are the ornately carved capitals and marble shafts of the chancel arch. Carved by Griffiths of Chester, the capitals feature grapes and wheat on both, figs and passion flowers separately on each side. The doves are thought to have been painted blue originally. Most of the timber furnishings of the church date from the Victorian rebuilding, including the pews and carved pulpit. The lid of the octagonal font was made recently from local oak.
The site was initially used by a monastic community in the mid 12th century but it is thought it had been an early medieval burial ground before that. The site was granted to the Augustinians at Haughmond Abbey around 1150. Little of the foundations for that early church remain.
The church that stands today was almost entirely rebuilt in 1863 by Poundley and Walker. The only element that definitely predates the reconstruction are the substantial oak beams supporting the tower, thought to be 17th century.
St Michael's is a simple church, understated and subtle in its decoration. The windows are all plain glass, topped with cinquefoil light in the nave and quatrefoils in the chancel.
Aside from the encaustic tiles of the chancel, the most decorated elements of the church are the ornately carved capitals and marble shafts of the chancel arch. Carved by Griffiths of Chester, the capitals feature grapes and wheat on both, figs and passion flowers separately on each side. The doves are thought to have been painted blue originally.
Most of the timber furnishings of the church date from the Victorian rebuilding, including the pews and carved pulpit. The lid of the octagonal font was made recently from local oak.