History
The church was built in the thirteenth century and the first recorded Vicar left to become Archdeacon of Rochester in 1271. In 1318 a Scottish raiding party stayed here while attacking Knaresborough Castle.
When they left they destroyed the church, leaving only the tower intact. The church was then in the possession of monks of the Trinitarian Order based at Knaresborough Priory and they rebuilt the Chancel. Since
then the floor level of the Chancel has been raised but the fourteenth century piscina and the top of the sedilia are both still visible to the right of the altar.
The Nave was rebuilt in 1772 in the Georgian style. The top of the windows were altered to a gothic style in 1930 and the oak roof beams were added at this time. In 1977 a modern “Chapter House” was added
and further meeting rooms were added in 1994.
Other features of the church include a seventeenth century font and a stained glass window from Knaresborough Priory. The handcuffs and truncheon used by a Victorian policeman, employed by the parish, are
displayed in the Chapter House. There are three bells in the tower, two dated 1669 and the other 1703, cast by Samuel Smith of York.
St Michael’s was attacked by the Scots in 1318 but reclaimed not long afterwards and passed to brothers belonging to the house of St Robert of Knaresborough.
In 1348 a stone church was built and ordained and remained in use until its dissolution in 1539. The church was rebuilt in 1772.
