St Michael and All Angels Church, Copford

St Michael and All Angels Church is of exceptional architectural interest because of the evidence of vaulting in the nave and the chancel, an exceedingly rare feature in English parish churches. The wall paintings were probably commissioned by the bishop of London, who owned the church before the Norman Conquest. Although heavily restored by the Victorians, the paintings do give a very real sense of the colour and magnificence of the interior of a Norman church. The subjects include Christ surrounded by angels and the apostles in the chancel and the Raising of Jairus's daughter in the nave. Other images are of knights and angels. Victorian additions are the Visitation of the Shepherds and the figure of Queen Mathilda by Clayton and Bell in 1886.

The church is said to be the burial place of Edmund Bonner, who was the Bishop of London from 1540 and a leading figure in the persecution of Protestants during the reign of the Catholic Queen Mary. Contemporary records suggest that he was buried in 1569 in St. George’s churchyard, Southwark. However, in 1809, a workman is said to have found a coffin bearing Bonner's name under the north side of the altar here at Copford, so it is possible that the coffin was secretly moved and reburied.

In the churchyard is a memorial to the artist Eric Ravilious (1903-42) and his wife Tirzah Garwood. Ravilious died on active service in September 1942 when his aircraft crashed into the sea near Iceland. His body was never recovered.

Timings & Tours

Friday 06 September:

0900-1700

Saturday 07 September:

0900-1700

Sunday 08 September:

0900-1700

Monday 09 September:

0900-1700

Tuesday 10 September:

0900-1700

Wednesday 11 September:

0900-1700

Thursday 12 September:

0900-1700

Friday 13 September:

0900-1700

Saturday 14 September:

0900-1700

Sunday 15 September:

0900-1700

Location & directions

Church Road, Copford, Colchester, Essex, CO6 1DG

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

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