St Michael & All Angels
Shefford, Bedfordshire
Invited by the exterior to come.
Shefford was the focus of Catholic continuity in Bedfordshire during the 18th century, and a chapel was built here as soon as it became legal to do so.
Part of that building is said to survive behind the present church, which dates from 1882-84 and was built from the designs of SJ Nicholl at the expense of Mrs Yolande Lyne-Stephens, a major benefactor of building projects in the Diocese of Northampton.
The church occupies a town centre location and with its contemporary adjacent presbytery and the former boys’ home forms a cleverly planned and important group of historic buildings at the heart of Shefford conservation area.
The church interior is richly furnished and little altered.