St Michael's Church

St Michael's Church is a stone building on the south bank of the River Wyre with a broad tower from 1549 and a continuous roof covering the chancel and nave. A chapel with sandstone walls extends to the north, while three bells from different periods hang in the tower.

The church appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Michelescherce and originates from Saxon times. Its continuous presence at this location demonstrates its importance as a community center for nearly a thousand years.

The Butler Chapel displays a round piece of Flemish glass from the 1500s showing a man and woman shearing sheep, alongside medieval stained glass windows that reflect local craftsmanship. These artworks reveal the traditions and wealth of the family who funded the chapel.

The church is mainly open on weekends, so check ahead for visiting times before planning your trip. You can walk through the churchyard and explore the graves and surrounding riverside landscape at your own pace.

Three graves in the churchyard from 1643, called Soldiers Stones, have unusual shapes connected to a Spanish shipwreck at the Wyre estuary mouth. These mysterious monuments preserve a rare memory of a maritime event that shaped local history.

Location: Upper Rawcliffe-with-Tarnacre

Inception: 13 century

GPS coordinates: 53.86280,-2.81950

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:06