St Michael & All Angels

This small chapel at Little Witley is now the parish church for the village.

The site is ancient. In later AngloSaxon times the chapel was served from St Helen's in Worcester and some of the present structure dates from the 13th century. For many centuries, until 1904, the chapelry was attached to the parish of Holt. Its dedication, formerly to the Holy Trinity was then changed to St. Michael & All Angels.

By the mid 19th century the unpretentious little building was said to have become almost ruinous and it was rebuilt in 1867 in the then correct Early English style to the designs of the Worcester architect Perkins. The new nave walls were built on the lower red sandstone courses of those of the old church, but the tiny chancel was extended by means of an apsidal east end and a vestry added.

The stone carvings, including corbels, capitals, font and pulpit were the work of the wife of the then Rector of Holt, Mrs Sale. The Rector himself laboured on some of the building work. The only original detail remaining is the blocked north doorway of the nave which has a two centred head vault, moulded continuously with the jambs and is of the 13th century.

The bell is by Richard Sanders of Bromsgrove and is dated 1733.

This rural village church, has an enchanting atmosphere and history which spans Anglo Saxon and medieval England. Please come in and sit a while enjoying the peace and tranquillity the church offers.