History of St. Michaels

The first mention of a new church in the scattered hamlet of Sandhurst was in 1220 and for the next 600 years there were few significant changes made to the original building.

A print showing the old St. Michael's Church in the early 19th Century.

In 1846, Sandhurst was transferred to the diocese of Oxford. A new incumbent, Henry Parsons, arrived in 1850, and in 1853 he embarked on the first stage of rebuilding. This added a new south aisle, a tower with a spire, and new east and west ends for the nave. The designs were produced by the new diocesan architect, G. E. Street, and some of the interior features, notably the font and pulpit, were executed by the incumbent’s youngest daughter.

Twelve years later, a north aisle was added and a larger chancel replaced the last remnant of the original church. Although Street was still the diocesan architect, the new extensions were designed by J. Woodman of Reading. The new work was fully in sympathy with the earlier parts to the extent that it could be conjectured that Street took a close interest in approving the plans.

The installation of a new and wealthy Rector, Randal Parsons, in 1880, combined with the parish’s wish to commemorate his late predecessor, resulted in a decade of major enhancements to the interior of the church. A new east window and a ring of six bells were the main memorials. The Rector provided new choir stalls and paid for extensive paintings in and around the chancel. In honour of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887, the vestry was enlarged to accommodate the expanding choir and a north porch was built. These were the last structural alterations to the building.

Since that time, new lighting has been installed. In the 1960’s some of the wall paintings were covered in a white paint to make the interior brighter. Also in the 1960’s the church was registered as a Grade II listed building.

In 1989 a Pastoral Centre, incorporation a large hall, a parish office and rooms for meetings and other church activities, was opened on a site close to the church.

Dr. Peter Holmes

Church Historian