KERRY CHURCH (ST MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS)

Site Details

NPRN
146164
Map Reference
SO19SW
Grid Reference
SO14629021
Unitary (Local) Authority
Powys
Old County
Montgomeryshire
Community
Kerry
Type of Site
CHURCH
Broad Class
Religious, Ritual and Funerary
Period
Medieval

Site Description

St Michael’s church is situated in Kerry, some three miles to the south-east of Newtown. St Michael’s is a double-naved structure which includes a large tower to the west of the church. The arcade survives from the original Norman church, with the initial building project is dated to 1176. The chancel arcade and the tower is dated from the 14th Century, and is found in the typical Montgomeryshire style which includes a timber framed belfry. Also in place are the 14th Century roofs, a bell that is dated to 1410 and a chest and a small number of monuments from the 18th Century. Outside of the main building, the churchyard is described as a polygonal enclosure and is set overlooking the valley of the River Mule. A sundial can be found in the church yard. A major rebuilding project took place in 1882-83, while large restoration work was undertaken on the tower in 1924 due to the stair turret being in danger of collapse, the walls were in need of urgent re-pointing and repair and the oak timber reframing needed improvements. The roof was re-slated and louvers were inserted in the windows. More recent work included the 1960 removal of a coke-fired boiler and the installation of an electric heating system. Further restoration work in 1993/94 was necessitated by storm damage: some of the oak timbers were replaced by steel girders and the slate roof was repaired.

M. Lloyd Davies, RCAHMW, 02 December 2008