St Michael

St Michael’s is an unusually large rural church as the mediaeval parish included the two villages of Brockham and Betchworth. The church was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 although no detail of that church is known. However, a fragment of stone found when the Norman tower was dismantled in 1851 suggests that it may have been built in stone. The present building dates in part from the 12th and 13th centuries with later additions and major alterations in the 19th century which involved the demolition of the old crossing tower, and the erection of the present one; and the construction of the North Transept which houses the Goulburn Chapel.

The church contains memorials to the parents of Thomas Morsted who was surgeon to Henry IV and Henry V and was present at the Battle of Agincourt and there is a marble memorial to Sir Benjamin Brodie who was surgeon to both William IV and Queen Victoria and a Doctor of International repute.

On the east wall of the south transept is a copy of the map of the Manor of East Betchworth made for Sir Ralph Freeman in 1634 soon after he bought the manor. Nearby is a large chest hewn from a single piece of oak was once considered 'undatable' because it has no clear stylistic features. However, an analysis of the pattern of tree-rings in the timber has now given an estimate of its date as early 16th century. It has three locks, one key being held by the Vicar, and one by each of the Churchwardens.

Other interesting items are the banner of General Sir Charles Richardson GCB (1908-94), who served with Montgomery at El Alamein and in the Normandy campaign and three hatchments high on the walls commemorating members of the Stables family.

More recent features are the font which was the work of the distinguished sculptor Eric Kennington in 1951, the Tickell organ installed in 2014 and the glass screen above the choir vestry called 'Wings of Faith' by the artist, Mel Howse.