Saint Michael and All Angels
Welcome!
Saint Michael and All Saints is a rural church on the South Downs Pathway. Every day there are walkers and visitors to the church, many of whom bring their four legged friends who are welcomed with a drink and dog biscuit, who can resist. Set in the village of Chalton and opposite the Red Lion pub, probably the oldest pub in Hampshire Saint Michael’s is steeped in history. Those who visit the church can see a leper’s window and some beautiful examples of stained glass window that connect St Michael’s and St Hubert’s in Finchdean. The graveyard also is worth a mention in that early burials were very unusual. To find out more come and visit our little church in the countryside.
Services
Our services:
1st Sunday: 9.30am – Holy Communion
2nd & 3rd Sundays: 9.30am – Morning Prayer
4th Sunday: 9.30am – Family Service
Our Ministry and Mission
History
Saint Michael and All Angels is a parish church with a late C12 or early C13 early English chancel, nave and western tower, C14 south transept, and C19 north porch. The walls are made of flint (some plaster work in the chancel) with stone quoins. There are stepped buttresses to the chancel, brick quoins to the upper part of the tower.
It has a plain tile roof. The plain tower has a low crenelated parapet, a small pyramid roof, and small openings; a wide plain doorway, now filled, was the entrance to the church. The porch has a flint and stone wall, with a pierced wooden frame above, supporting a gabled roof with decorative bargeboards.
The windows are mostly tall lancets, the south side of the nave having a coupled light with a (plate tracery) trefoil head, the north side has a coupled light of the Decorated style with reticulated tracery, repeated in the south window of the transept. In the chancel there is a low-side window beneath a filled lancet and a restored 4-light east window of Geometrical style.
Inside there are deep splays to the windows, and a cill band in the chancel, double trefoil heads to a piscina, and an aumbry cupboard. The arch to the transept has half-columns (responds) of octagonal form, and the octagonal font (C15) is placed there. Wall monuments include a kneeling figure within a Corinthian framework (Richard Ball, died 1632), two other classical monuments, of 1720 and 1829, and small monuments of 1819 and 1933.
Remembrance for 100 years of the British Legion Poppy
In 2021 St Michael’s held a Remembrance event to commemorate 100 years of the British Legion Poppy and the service animals that died in the war. Hundreds visited the church and attended the lunchtime concerts and activities. Saint Michael’s was very fortunate to be able to have on loan the ‘Hayling Poppies” and grateful to the local primary school and residents who generously contributed to the exhibition.
Joint Winner of the Animal Friendly Church Awards for 2022
Saint Michael and All Angels was chosen as a Joint Winner of the Animal Friendly Church Awards for 2022. Samantha Chandler, Honorary Secretary of the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals, was delighted that a small rural church had won this award. Saint Michael’s was given a beautiful wall plaque and a hamper of cruelty free/eco-friendly goodies for the church.
Church Wardens Sarah Iredale is holding the plaque and Jane Hussey is holding the hamper, along with some members of the congregation
Saint Michael’s recognition was as a result of applying to become an Animal Friendly Church which included setting aside a ‘wild’ area in the graveyard, a bug hotel handmade by a parishioner, an amazing tribute to service animals and our infamous annual pet service. The last pet service included two ponies, an American goose called ‘Mrs Simpson’, numerous dogs (along with their owners) and a chicken which led to an enthusiastic time of worship especially during the singing! Pets are an important part of our lives and especially as companions for older people, so it is great to honour them as creatures in God’s world at least once a year.
As a rural church, St Michael’s is frequently visited by dogs with their rambling friends. They are welcomed and there is always water and biscuits on hand.
St Michael’s is very grateful to the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals for recognising their efforts.
Teas @ 3 and our summer programme of events
Every year St Michael’s offers Teas at 3pm on Bank holidays. Home made cakes and the infamous Pauline’s ‘Bread Pudding’ are always on offer along with a welcome cup of tea or coffee.
Hats
During the summer there is always a programme of events. In 2022 we had various concerts and an amazing talk on ‘hats’.
How to find Saint Michael and All Angels
South Lane, Chalton, Waterlooville PO8 0BG