St Michael's Church, Upton

St Michael's Church is a stone church with a nave, south porch, chancel, and west tower built from limestone and ironstone that span several centuries of construction. The building displays features from its Norman origins as well as later Gothic modifications.

It began as a private chapel built for a manor lord between 1158 and 1189 and underwent substantial rebuilding from the 13th to 15th centuries. These changes show how the building evolved to meet changing needs over time.

The interior holds wooden furnishings from 1899 and a 17th-century chest that show connections to the Samwell family who had roots in this area. These objects reflect the lives of people who worshipped here across many generations.

The building is cared for by a heritage conservation organization and remains accessible to visitors through the efforts of local volunteers. The rural setting means that arriving by car is the most practical way to reach the site.

The cemetery around the church contains a protected stone tomb from 1672 and shows earth mounds that point to a vanished medieval village that once occupied the area. These landscape features reveal that a larger settlement existed here before it was abandoned.

Location: Upton

Inception: 12 century

Architectural style: Norman architecture, Gothic architecture, Gothic Revival

Website: http://visitchurches.org.uk/findachurch/st-michael-upton/?region=Northamptonshire

GPS coordinates: 52.23560,-0.95080

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:02