Residents will have the chance to explore the historic St Michael’s Church this month as part of Heritage Open Days, a national festival celebrating England’s history and culture.
The Grade II listed building, which is almost 900 years old, will welcome visitors to see its historic features, including parish records on loan from Chippenham History Centre covering baptisms, marriages, and funerals from the late 1600s to modern times, as well as historical pictures dating from the 1700s to the present day. Church vestments and communion vessels on the altar will also be on display.
The church will be open on Saturday 13th September from 9.30am to 5pm, Sunday 14th September from 12pm to 4pm, Monday 15th September from 10am to 12.30pm, and Tuesday 16th September from 10am to 12.30pm.
Visitors on Saturday 13th September can hear the recently restored church organ being played and enjoy refreshments.
“Talk to us about the bells, tower clock, stained glass windows and the history of the church building,” said churchwarden Peter Maslen. “The clock face has recently been restored and work continues on the mechanism. We are also currently carrying out a project to increase the number of bells from eight to ten.”
The church will also serve as a visiting point for the Wiltshire Historic Churches Ride and Stride event on Saturday 13th September, a sponsored bike ride or walk raising money for the county’s churches.
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