Church of St Michael, Garway Herefordshire

GARWAY, HEREFORDSHIRE - This interesting church is now undergoing a gradual process of repair and restoration. The first instalment of the works being completed, the Bishop of Hereford, accompanied by the Archdeacon (Lord Sayo and Sele) attended the re-opening services on the 8th ult. The greater portion of the building dates from the commencement of the fourteenth century, though there are not wanting evidences of both Norman and Perpendicular times. The Knights Templars resided at a preceptory close by, so it is inferred that a good deal of the work is due to their skill and energy ; indeed, internal corroborative evidence exists of this in the position and size of the tower, which is 27 ft. square, and placed about 10 ft. away from the north-west corner of the nave, as well as in several of the ornamental features of the interior, notably in the richly-sculptured chancel arch. The following may be taken as a sample of the work already done. A heavy gallery, extending across the west end of the nave, and along the greater part of the north wall has been removed, revealing a three-light window. A wall between the chancel and chapel has also been taken down, thus showing to full advantage a beautiful specimen of fourteenth-century arcading. The old oak benches, with ends 4 inches in thickness, have been re-fixed on a wooden platform, and by a simple alteration made comfortable enough for nineteenth - century worship. The old altar - slab, with its five incised crosses, which was found face downwards amongst the old paving of the church, has been placed again in its original position. The carved oak rood-loft has long since disappeared, but the flight of steps and raised gangway leading to it extending along the whole length of the north chancel wall, are fortunately intact, while the original doorway has now been opened out. The work has been executed by Mr. W. Balcombe, of Kenilworth, under the superintendence of Mr. E. N. Lingen-Barker. [Builder 7 December 1878 page 1286]

GARWAY - This church, situate on the banks of the Monnow, close to the borders of the counties of Hereford and Monmouth, has been reopened. A new vicar, the Rev. J. Jones, has recently been appointed, who has set himself the task of effecting a complete restoration of a church which the Bishop of Hereford described, “without fear of contradiction,” as one of the most curious and interesting to be found in the West of England. The fine Norman tower, 27 ft. square, is detached, and there is much excellent work of the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries about the church. The stone altar, with five incised crosses, remains in situ, and the rood-loft steps are intact, while the open seats of massive oak have ends 4 in. in thickness. The architect engaged in the restoration is Mr. E. H. Lingen Barker, and the contractor for the works just executed was Mr. W. Balcombe, of Kenilworth. [Builder 21 December 1878 page 1341]

The Bishop of Hereford preached recently at the re-opening of the Church of Garway, situate on the banks of the Monnow, close to the borders of the counties of Hereford and Monmouth. His Lordship described the church as “without fear of contradiction," one of the most curious and interesting to be found in the West of England. The fine Norman tower, 27 feet square is detached, and there is much excellent work of the twelfth thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries about the church The stone altar, with five incised crosses, remains in situ and the rood loft steps are intact, while the open seats of massive oak have ends four inches in thickness. In. the reign of Henry II., the Knights Templars built a preceptory close by, and after their suppression in 1313 it fell into the hands of the Knights Hospitallers, who remained there till the Reformation. Their chapel, adjoining the chancel, contains many interesting features, while the church generally exhibits sundry Jewish or Saracenic details very harmoniously blended with English features. The architect engaged in the restoration is Mr. E. H. Lingen Barker, of Hereford. [Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard 11 November 1878 page 7]

Reference    Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard 11 November 1878 page 7
Reference    Builder 7 December 1878 page 1286]
Reference    Builder 21 December 1878 page 1341