St Michael's Church, Cowthorpe
North Yorkshire
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About this church
A medieval church with beautiful heraldic glass
St Michael's is an impressive, imposing-looking church. It was built by eminent lawyer Bryan Roucliff in 1458 and is full of treasures bestowed by the Roucliff family. Its military looking tower recalls those belligerent times. In the chancel is an elaborate Easter Sepulchre - a canopied wooden chest that played an important role in Easter worship in Medieval parish churches. A monumental brass in the chancel has effigies of a man and woman, believed to be Roucliff and his wife.
Soft light streams through the church's fine leaded windows enhancing the stone interior.
Please help us to keep our churches open by donating a gift of £5 or £10 by texting the numbers below or visit our donation page here
Text XXX” to 70970 to give £5. Text XXX” to 70191 to give £10.
Your generous donation will help us to protect a beautiful part of local and national heritage. Thank you!
Give today
Our churches cost on average £2500 per year
To support our conservation work and maintenance checks
Access information
Access to the church is via the priests door in the chancel. This is very narrow and wheelchair users may need assistance. There are steps through the churchyard gate.
Facilities & hire
Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number of them have heating, running water and toilet facilities.The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor.
- Church available for hire
Directions
3 miles north of Wetherby and east of A1. Take B1223 from Wetherby towards York. Turn left at Bickerton crossroads. Turn left at next crossroads. Cowthorpe is signposted 1 mile. In village take first right turn.
Transport
Nearest railway stations: Cattal (2.4 miles) or Harrogate (8 miles).
History & further information
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church and the CCT before you visit? You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.
Cowthorpe St. Michael - Your Church Tour
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches CCT cares for in North, South and West Yorkshire. Printed copies of the county guides are also available at the church.
Community information
All our North Yorkshire churches are in CCT's North region.
- Discover North Yorkshire tourism website
- Days out with the kids in North Yorkshire
- North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway
- A history of North Yorkshire in 10 objects
- The City of York and District Family History Society
- Family History Section of Yorkshire Archaeological Society
- Yorkshire Archaeological Society
- List of churches in North Yorkshire
- North Yorkshire is in the Dioceses of Rippon and Leeds
