Saint Michael's Church
The following is a an edited history by Roz Broomhead, with added illustrations and photographs.
Other references can be found in the history of the parish compiled by the Rev D. R. Evans
I have also included separately:
A collection of photographs of St. Michael's
Some photographs of the Graveyard
An interesting note: William Cary, Rector of Winterbourne, v. John
Berkeley and others, claiming that a moiety of the tithes of Harry
Stoke hamlet belong to Winterbourne 'where the inhabitants of Harry
Stoke have buried their dead' because Stoke Gifford churchyard was
not consecrated until 1718. Berkeley argued that the tithes were not
an endowment, but paid only for the burial facility, and have
therefore ceased since the consecration of Stoke Gifford which is now
used instead
The Church originates from the fourteenth century, having been built
by the Berkeley family. The presence of the Norman font suggests that
there was an earlier Church (although this was reputedly partially
built into the North wall in the eighteenth century - reference
Pevsners Gloucester). There was certainly a Saxon Church, as the
Doomsday Book states ;Stoche hath one priest;. This was probably a
wooden building, and there would have been some sort of priest's
dwelling. 
Archaeological excavations have revealed Roman occupation in the parish. Coins found on the site suggest that this occupation was from about AD270-350. This covers the time that the Christian Constantine was emperor, so it is possible that there was Christian worship in the Parish at that time. Almost certainly later when St Augustine came to England.
In the 1930's Arthur Mee in his 'Gloucestershire - The Kings England' described the village as 'One of the little places around Bristol, with a mediaeval Church between its green and busy railway junction. A quaint red-roofed building, with many gables, the Church has an embattled tower on the south side, opening with a plain massive arch with a pinnacled leafy hood, and in the simple inner doorway hangs an old studded door. Inside, the walls are cream, the roofs white and some of the walls are leaning. Square fluted pillars divide the Nave and the Aisle, and the Norman font, with a bowl like a great cushion capital, is partly built into a wall. The low altar rails are Jacobean. A l3th century window has a face among old fragments
In more recent times the population in the parish increased
considerably. This was due to building of the railway in 1858, Sir
George White's ;Aeroplane Works; from 1910 through two World Wars and
further, and the general building programmes from the 1960's onwards.
The congregation at St Michael's increased correspondingly. In 1991
the Church of Christ the King was built at Bradley Stoke, still in
the ecclesiastical parish of Stoke Gifford, with the Reverend Stephen
Smith as its vicar and the Reverend David Widdows as the team rector.
Each congregation had its own district council, both joining together
in a parochial church council. 
Building of the new church was financed by parishioners throughout the diocese under the Diocesan Development Programme. Finance for equipment came from within the congregation and others as the result of an appeal fund for £50,000 in 1988.
A list of the Vicars of St. Michael's can be found here
The Church interior
Beyond the wall at the tower end of the churchyard there was a
building for a private Sunday School. This was started in 1786, six
years after Robert Raikes' first Sunday School. There are two
interesting memorials on this side of the churchyard. One, in the
form of an angel, is in memory of Fanny Pauline Close, wife of
Admiral Francis Arden Close, of Stoke Park. The other, a broken
pillar, is in memory of Martin Harding, a connection by marriage of
the Mortimer family at Walls Court Farm, who died in a hunting
accident. Many old family names appear on the gravestones around the
Church. The plot of ground near the Vicarage wall at the West end is
consecrated for the burial of caskets from cremation. A pedestal for
flowers, given by Mrs Bailey in memory of her husband, is at the
corner. In the front of the Church are the oldest gravestones and
vaults, the lettering of some being worn by time and weather. Silas
Blandford, accountant to Norborne Berkeley is buried beneath one of
the three table tombs. Miss Blandford, librarian and historian of
Filton is his descendant. On the corner near the kissing gate is a
gravestone covering the remains of Esau Dust in his final resting
place.
Most Churches dedicated to St. Michael are situated on higher ground, and Stoke Gifford is no exception. The railway embankment makes it seem less obvious now, but the Church can be seen from most parts of the Parish. Old photographs show the Church to be almost completely covered by ivy. It was partly removed during the nineteenth century alterations, and again in 1922, to prevent damage to the walls. At the nave end of the South wall is a blocked arched doorway. This would have been the most public view of the Church from Church Road before the coming of the railway.
The Tower
To the side of this archway was a Rose window. This was
removed during the nineteenth century alterations after much
consternation and debate by the parishioners. It was replaced by a
perpendicular window of the same design as the two already there. It
was described by the architect Lingen Barker as a "Bull's Eye".
Windows (including stained glass) had been 
vandalised many times so that in 1990 permanent plastic covers
were put over them. It is of course pennant and limestone (not a good
mixture) with flush ashlar quoins, a perpendicular parapet and
gargoyles. On the South wall is what was thought to be a scratch
sundial with a style hole and a circle of small holes but could be a
stonemason's mark. On the East wall near the ground another blocked
doorway can be seen. This led down stone steps to the coke boiler.
The tower is a triangulation point for Ordnance Survey and is marked
on the Ordnance Survey map. The reference point is checked regularly.
A triangular block is on the roof as a marker. The RAF also probably
used the tower as a landmark during the Second World War. The
floodlit tower can be seen as a beacon and inspiration to all who see
it.
Before she died in 1990 Rita Southgate's mother Mrs Enid McGroggan
bequeathed the money for making this possible. This was as a result
of a conversation between Rita and Joy Bailey who were discussing how
beautiful the tower would be if it was floodlit. Another thing that
has delighted passengers and staff at Parkway station has been the
sound of hymns and carols at Christmas and summertime coming from the
Green. The church bells can no longer be heard as another reminder of
Christianity. In times gone by they seemed to call ;All good
people come to church; and spurred people on to get to church on
time.
The Porch 
Inside the porch are stone benches and the remains of a Holy Water
Stoupe. Parishioners on entering would dip their fingers in the water
and make the sign of the cross, remembering their baptism. Small
loaves were placed on the benches every week, being given by Webbs
Charity for the poor and needy of the parish, also perhaps for the
communion bread. These were delivered at one time by David Hutton's
grandfather. Perhaps because of the very close bombing during the
second world war it was proposed in 1942 that smelling salts and
fresh water should be placed in the porch.
It
has a distinctive O-Gee arch, with crocketed finial and pinnacles and
is probably l4th century, however being made in sandstone makes its
date uncertain. The pattern had almost disappeared by 1986 when it
was expertly recarved by stone masons who were called in to repair
the deteriorating state of the porch. At the same time stone slabs
were placed outside for the congregation to linger before going home
or taking coffee. The vicarage rooms were converted for church use
from part of the vicarage which had previously been used as a flat
and during the war as shelter from the bombing
The Church Building
The heavy oak studded door might have been used in bygone days by
some people knocking and claiming sanctuary. Above the door is the
Georgian Coat of Arms, with the White Horse of Hanover. The Ten
Commandments are on the West wall of the North aisle. They may have
been moved at some time from the Chancel. Between 1992 and 1993 the
boards were expertly restored by Mrs Katherine Woodgate Jones.
Margaret Jocelyn paid for this to be done in memory of her father
(Margaret herself keeps the Book of Remembrance written up). The
great hatchment of the Beaufort family which used to hang here is
stored in Bristol museum in the hope of eventual restoration. A
Berkeley hatchment with a Bloody Hand (relating to a war in Ireland)
is remembered to have been in the Vestry in the 1930's but its
whereabouts are now unknown.
The silvercommunion plate
given by the Berkeley family in the eighteenth century which was once
held by the museum is now back in church. This consists of a large
wine ewer given by Elizabeth countess of Hereford in 1720 made by
John Bignell; the chalice by Andrew Folberg and two 1775 patens by
Frederick Kandler.
At the West end is the organ which was given to the
Church by Mrs Gladys Burden in 1939 two years after electricity was
installed (this also was given by Mrs Burden). The present organ was
first installed at the North wall of the East end. It was transferred
to the site of the old organ in 1952. The introduction of electricity
gave a new look to the Church, and the Evening Post took some
pictures beforehand, showing the Verger Fred Curtis, lighting the oil
lamps. Here at the West end in 1850 was ;a platform from which the
village choir performs with their own voices and two flutes. There
are several great singers amongst the congregation, who seem to join
with amazing unction and energy; (The Church Goer Rural Rides).
Fred Curtis had the important job of stoking the boilers under the
Church. The heat came up through wrought iron grids above the aisles.
These were later filled in and in 1980 were covered with carpet. On
the South wall are the arms of Parsons of Hambrook.
The Belfry
In the bell chamber there were once four bells; the original no.2
bell was removed long ago but the three which remain are of
considerable historical interest. Although the bells themselves are
excellent castings of good tone, the condition of their fittings has
progressively deteriorated so that it is no longer possible safely to
use them in any way.
Treble Bell: Diameter 30;, note D-flat, weight 5-cwts. Bristol Foundry, mid l5th century Inscribed: (Crown)STEPAULEORAPRONOBIS (St. Paul, pray for us)
Second Bell: Diameter 36 1/2;, note B-flat, weight 8-cwts. Thomas Gefferies, Bristol, c.1520 Inscribed: + snacx : ta (crown) ma : ri : a (mark) ~ (Holy Mary) T(HOMAS) G(efferies)
Tenor Bell: Diameter 39 1/4;, note A-flat, weight 10-cwts. Roger Purdue I, Bristol, 1620 Inscribed: W G . R L . C D . W S COME.WHEN.I.CALL.AND.SERVE.GOD ALL 1620
The missing bell was the original no.2 of the peal and would have been about 33; diameter and weighed around 6' 1/4-cwts. Parts of the bell frame are of medieval origin, further alterations being made probably in 1620 when the tenor bell was cast. In the last century (possibly when the old second bell was removed) much of the frame was cut away on three sides and replaced with mere timber props. What is left, and the bells themselves, is listed for preservation. A new frame and all new bell fittings will be required before they can ring again - may it not be too long before we can hear and heed again the message on the tenor: Come when I call, and serve God all.
Our former Diocesan Bells adviser, David Cawley, provided this information, adding "Let's hope it moves someone to do something, what a pity that the fastest growing parish in the Diocese is deprived of the loudest sound which is made to the glory of God."
The Chancel
The
Arch is eighteenth century. On the North side is the Vestry. This
used to be known as the Duchess's Room and was open to the Chancel.
It was used by the Duchess of Beaufort, where she would sit by the
eighteenth century fireplace and take part in the service. She is
reputed to have made quite a noise rattling the fire with the poker
when she thought the sermon should end. So that she could see the
Vicar the pulpit was placed in the lower part of the Chancel next to
the Belfry. From this position it was very difficult for the rest of
the congregation to hear the sermon, and the Vicar no doubt found it
hard to make himself heard. Perhaps because of this, or his Welsh
oratory, Vicar Railton Jones in the 1930's was apt to gesticulate and
thump the pulpit to press points in his sermon, One day he was
shocked to be interrupted by a young lady Lily Wicks shouting "Vicar
you're on fire." The candles then used for illumination had set his
sleeves alight.
The old altar rails are Jacobean. In 1923 two small girls, Marjorie Powell and Margaret Taylor undertook the task of removing the white paint and restoring them to their original condition. Also in the Chancel is the old bible, given to the church by Admiral Close towards the end of the nineteenth century, which is now housed in a typical bible box (given by Rita Southgate) of approximately the same date.
For many years the repositioning of the pulpit was discussed. It was removed during the alterations of the 1970's and replaced by an Eagle Lectern, given by St. Philip and St. Jacobs Church in Bristol, who had acquired it from the bombed Church of Emmanuel. The legal fees were paid by Mrs. Johnson in memory of her mother. Some pews were also removed to make more space. The Chancel was altered at this time. A platform was built and the whole area carpeted. The altar was brought forward and new altar rails were purchased. Volunteers completely redecorated the Church. Wooden kneelers were replaced by hassocks, skilfully embroidered by the ladies of the Parish. People who wished to contribute to the cost had their initials sewn on the back. The stained glass window at the East End was made by Joseph Bell of Bristol in 1900. The figures bear a close resemblance to Admiral and Lady Close.
As part of her GCE studies Nina Shiels designed and embroidered the banner, which symbolised St. Michael's challenge of Light against Darkness. The Archangel was depicted in rich colours on a previous banner. Striking pictures of archangels hung on the Chancel walls until about 1930. They were on plaques of thick paper and showed St. Michael the champion of faith with his sword, St. Raphael the pilgrim with his staff and a fish & St. Gabriel the angel of divine revelation. The Cherry wood candlesticks were made by Windsor Davies, headmaster of the School from the 'Judas Tree' which had to be cut down from the Vicarage garden when the Parkway Station was built. There are memorial tablets to the Berkeley family round the walls of the Chancel. The Berkeley Coat of Arms, which used to hang in the Vestry, is no longer there. Church records, dating from 1588 - the year of the Armada, which used to be kept in the Vestry are now in the safe keeping of the City Archives in Bristol. Records for Poor Law Relief, administered by the Church Wardens and overseers which were in the Muniments Room at Badminton are now with the Gloucester Records office.
The North Aisle or Lady Chapel
The stone vaults between the Chancel and the North aisle are of the
Lawford family, and of John Silcocks who founded a charity for the
needy of the Parish. The fourteenth century East window with its
;face among the fragments; is the only piece of old stained glass
left after Cromwell's men came during the Civil War and can be seen
above the 1914-18 war memorial window.
The Font, partly built into the North wall, is Norman. Its
dog-toothed pattern was discovered by the Vicar's wife in the 1920's
and was 
later restored. In the 1950's Douglas Williams made the lid from an
oak builder's plank found by Vicar Evans. At the same time he also
made a frame for a triptych which a local artist Jack Curtis had
painted of St Michael and two saints. It was not passed by the
diocese for hanging in the church so was stored (temporarily) in the
vestry for 20 - 30 years until it was returned to the artist's widow.
Jack Curtis had inserted a very small unnoticeable picture of the
Britannia aeroplane which was lost in the mud of the River Severn.
This was during the last year of Vicar Evans' incumbency. When the
heating system was changed Doug remembers covering the old metal
pipes under the grills with rubble and concrete. The Orthodox Cross
on the inside of the font lid was previously in the sanctuary and was
fixed there by Vicar Donald Shiels in the 1960's. The stained glass
window of St. Michael was given by a former matron of Stoke Park,
commemorating the hospital's 60 years association with the Church.
Maintenance and Preservation
The church was restored in
1894 by Lingen Barker, the Duke of Beaufort's architect. A new roof
was put on the nave, the old oak box pews were removed, and a new
pulpit, vicar's stall, lectern and pews were installed. Some
eighteenth century panelling was discovered at the West end, but
there is now no trace of this.
The belfry and tower needed major repairs in the late 1920's and 1960's. The Church has a fabric committee whose task is to maintain and preserve the structure and its contents in a safe and usable condition and to undertake to complete as many tasks as possible identified in the Quinquennial Report (Paul Smith 1996). Every five years an inspection, funded by the diocese, is undertaken by the church architect. His report is sent to the church and diocese. It indicates the work that needs to be carried out under three categories - urgent, essential and if possible. Payment for this work comes from church funds, but personal donations are given for specific purposes, such as the new sound system and commandment boards restoration. Much valuable work such as churchyard maintenance, dry-stone walling, inside decoration and chattels etc. has always been done by stalwart volunteers.
Until the twentieth century the Lords of the Manor bore the brunt of the responsibility for maintenance, but especially during recent years the parishioners alone have met each crisis with tremendous money raising efforts. As time goes on, the building has become much more expensive to preserve. It has stood the test of time since the Wars of the Roses to the present time and always it has been the House of God for the faithful, to meet and pray and worship.
Reproduced with the kind permission of the author ©1997 Ros Broomhead