The Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Isel
Rededication and Harvest weekend 2nd/3rd October 2010
St. Michael’s Church in Isel, was severely affected by the November floods last year and the Churchyard was submerged in 5ft of water. Headstones were toppled, paths were gouged out and ¾ of the boundary walls were destroyed. Inside the Church the water reached depths of up to 3½ ft. Renovation works to the building and churchyard have now been completed and have included repairs to the organ, replacement heating, electrical work, restoration of the parquet flooring and re-landscaping, to name but a few.
To celebrate the completion of all the restoration work and to celebrate Isel Church’s rededication, the Church and Churchyard will be open on Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon, on the 2nd and 3rd of October, from 12.00 noon until 4.00 p.m.
The Church will be decorated for our Harvest Festival Service (10.00 a.m. on Sunday 3rd.), and some of our beautiful altar hangings, which are normally kept stored away in a cupboard for safekeeping, will be out on display. Several other items and articles of interest in the Church and Churchyard will also be featured with explanatory notes. Local musicians will provide background music at times during the afternoons and refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon. There will also be a display of photographs to illustrate the extent of the flood damage and the repair work.
The afternoons are not guided, but if you do have any questions, our stewards will be on hand to answer whatever they can! This is a unique opportunity to come along and enjoy the beauty and history of this Grade 1 listed Norman Church. We promise you a very interesting afternoon.
Mrs M Mossop
Mrs A Thompson
Grid Ref: 89/162334
Situated beside the River Derwent, close to the grounds of Isel Hall, this church dates from around 1130AD. The chancel is its chief architectural feature but it has some intriguing sundial stones. The church was extensively renovated in Victorian times but with care not to destroy its unique history. A full history available in church.
The Church is OPEN all daylight hours
Please check services page for details of service times.
N.B. Please to not enter the church or churchyard until the damage caused by the flooding which occured on 20th-21st November 2009 has been made safe. The Churchyard is dangerous, the church will be locked until repairs sufficient to maintain safety have been made.
This photo shows the lane and church car park at the height of the floods. The churning water has dug deep pits into the ground exposing cables, pipes, and other materials. Most of the churchyard walls have been destroyed. Several feet of water entered the church. At the time of writing the Parish is awaiting reports from the insurers on the damage. Check with clergy or wardens for service relocation information.
(used with thanks to, and the permission of, the photographer: David Lomas)