St Michael & St James

There are several theories as to the origin of the name, namely that nine churches can be seen from the Parish of Stowe, that it is possible the lord of the nearby Manor was Patron of nine parishes or that after eight interruptions by the devil on a previous site, the church was finally erected on its present site. 

The church of St Michael dates back to Saxon times and was built on a neolithic worship site. It was originally dedicated to St Ninian, then to St Peter & St Paul before being rededicated to St Michael in 1560. 

It was probably not built as a local church with a graveyard but is more likely to have had its origin as a shrine or Oratory served by one or two priests.

The original tower with its medieval battlements survives, but the body of the church was rebuilt in 1639 and again in 1859. An interesting Norman arch leads from the nave into the tower. 

A total of seven early Roman and Saxon carved stones are preserved in the church, more than in any other parish in the county. Three are built into the fabric of the tower and the others are on the floor by the 13th century font.

The bath stone pillars, raised roofs, choir stalls, pews, font and altar were all the work of Philip Hardwick in 1859. At this time, the west end gallery, box pews, three decker pulpit and mediaeval font were removed. The present octagonal font occupies the site of a former staircase which led to a gallery.

Either side of the altar are two fine 13th century and early 17th century chest tombs with effigies, most notably that of Lady Elizabeth Carey carved in Purbeck marble by the Master Mason to King Charles I. Made in 1620, ten years before her death, it has been described as one of the finest pieces of sculpture of the age, for both design and execution. 

There are also several wall monuments with lifesize figures, memorial tablets and a Jacobean screen in the Lady Chapel. The memorial to Dr Thomas Turner, President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, was erected by the Sons of the Clergy Corporation in gratitude for the legacy of £18,000 which paid for Stowe Manor. 

The four bells are of considerable interest and merit, as two of them, dated circa 1390 and 1590, have listed status in the ‘Schedule of Bells for Preservation’.