St Michael
Barton le Street, Yorkshire
A treat for the senses, boasting some of the finest Romanesque carvings to be found in a Norman church.
St Helen retains its 16th century tower. However the nave was rebuilt c1708.
The Revd James Peach commissioned further extensive restoration of 1870-72, by G Fowler Jones, during which the nave windows and chancel were rebuilt. The tower contains an arched doorway now closed dating from 12th century or earlier. Gabled south porch contains reset 12th century doorway.
The north wall of the sanctuary contains a round-arched niche with head-stopped hoodmould. Beneath is a 14th century tomb slab carved with a foliated cross and inscribed: ICI GIT WILLEM DE BORDESDON PRIZ PUR LA ALME. Sir William de Bordesdon Lord of the Manor who died c1340 was the brother or nephew of Sir John de Bordesdon whose effigy lies in a 19th century niche in the south wall of the sanctuary. He is shown with his arms and wearing a surcoat with sleeves; he died c1329. In the porch a number of stone fragments have been set,discovered in the churchyard during the building works of 1870. They including two Anglo- Danish cross fragments, part of a foliated grave slab and part of a 14th century grave slab carved with a quatrefoil enclosing a female figure. (referece: English Heritage 2023).
Revd Peach left a rich heritage of victorian craftwork in the rich carvings on the ends of each pew, on the font and the pulpit.