St Michael's Church, Talley

Heritage listing

Reason for designation: A rare survival of C18 furnishings. Listed II* principally for this reason and the setting next to Talley Abbey. Group value with Abbey ruins to S. History: Parish church dated 1773, replacing that within Abbey ruin. Gothicised 1863 and again in 1876. Chancel added/rebuilt 1892. Exterior: Anglican Parish Church of 1773. Broad aiseless nave with small narrower chancel. Rubble masonry with squared quoins. Moderately pitched slate roof, oversailing eaves, close verges. Late C19 gabled W bellcote with cross finial. Triple lancet. W window of 1876 above twin pointed doorways. Stone voussoirs to doorways, later planked doors. 3 2-light Decorated windows of 1863 to N and S walls of nave. 1773 date to quoin at SW corner. Blocked window to former gallery at NW corner, cambered head, stone voussoirs. Later lower chancel with Decorated E window. Small partially blocked N chancel window obscured by small rubble lean-to. Interior: Complete set of 1773 oak box-pews in 3 ranks with fielded panels. Each one numbered, gradated on N side of nave for retainers and Williams family of Edwinsford. Moulded panels to family pew at NE corner of nave. Similar panelling to contemporary pentagonal pulpit. Font, probably late C18, Bathstone octagonal bowl upon pedestal and base. Late C19 detail to chancel. Boarded wagon roof. W gallery removed 1876. Monument to Sir Nicholas Williams of Edwinsford (d 1745). Cartouche over cornice carried on fluted Corinthian pilasters. Apron and pulvinated brackets with acanthus moulding. Coloured E window of 1976 in memory of William John Davies (d 1973). Location: Situated in spacious churchyard immediately adjoining the Premonstratensian Abbey ruins.

From Cadw under OGL v3.