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Chirbury Church of St Michael the Archangel – Early History

Chirbury Church of St Michael the Archangel – Early History

Chirbury means 'fortified place with a church' or 'the fort with a church’. And there was indeed a fort here during the Danish Wars in 915 when the western frontier of Mercia was being strengthened, not against the Welsh, but against the possibility of Viking attack. It was probably in a rectangular enclosure somewhere to the north-west of the village. The Domesday survey mentions the presence of two churches and a priest in 'Cireberie', one of six settlements listed an that area – Hockleton (Elchitun), Walcot (Walecote), Chirbury (( Cyricbyrigin 915), Cireberie), Dudston (Dudestune), Marrington (Meritune) and Rhiston (Ristune).

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that a burh (also spelled burg) or fortress was built by Aethelflaeda, Lady of the Mercians at Chirbury in 915 which is believed to have already been a religious centre at that time.

Perhaps the other church was at Snead, a day's horse ride down the road and which has an association with Chirbury?? (Pictures of Snead can be found in my Flickr album: 'Churches Powys').

An Augustinian priory was founded at Snead in the late 12th century. The Augustinian Canons then moved to Chirbury circa 1220. Canons were said not to be monks, but priests who took similar vows and lived monastic lives, but were not enclosed.

The present church is only a part of the former priory. The original chancel, transepts and crossing have gone and the only surviving parts we see today are the nave and the churchyard wall at the north-east corner where the base of a 13th century column can still be seen (separate picture), probably from the former chapter house.

The nave is thought to be the original nave prior to the arrival of the monks. The arches and aisles were added later during the 'Early English' period, in the late 13th century.

The lower part of the tower is thought to be early 14th century with the upper parts, battlements and pinnacles added later, during the Perpendicular period, mid 14th to early 16th centuries. Brick chancel was added 1733 and the whole church was restored 1871-2.

Pictures taken during a group visit to St Michael & All Saints church by the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust (SHCT) on 08/07/25. Thanks to Mr John Clark, Chairman of the SHCT and to Mr Paul Livermore who gave an excellent talk and tour of the church and grounds.

St Michael's in Chirbury is one of six churches in the Chirbury Hills Group, serving small rural and agricultural communities on the Shropshire / Montgomeryshire border. Services are held on a regular basis at all six churches. For details of services or for more information, please see...
www.achurchnearyou.com/church/10464/service-and-events/ev...

Taken on: July 8, 2025

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Sets appears in: • Churches Powys

Camera: Sony ILCE-7RM5, f/5.0, 1/1250 sec, 14mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Sony ILCE-7RM5
Lens:	14-24mm F2.8 DG DN \| Art 019
Aperture:	f/5.0
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/1250)
Focal Length:	14mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Spot
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
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