Peak Experience

The clergyman Thomas Eyre had this private chapel built and he was buried here in 1717. 

 

A picture of St Michael and All Angels, Birchover

 

Eyre was fascinated with Rowter Rocks.  These rocks, at the bottom of Birchover village street are huge blocks of gritstone, thought to have been used for druidical ceremonies.  Eyre carved armchairs into them, so he and his friends could sit and admire the view.

 

Eyre’s chapel was also known as the church of Jesus.  His obsession with the ‘druidical rocks’ is, perhaps, reflected in the choice of church porch carvings: flowers, grapes and a dragon.

 

A picture of the porch at St Michael and All Angels, Birchover

 

After Eyre died, the church building was used for storage.  But in 1869 it was restored and a chancel and porch were added.

 

The porch contains ‘architectural fragments’ said to have come from a derelict 1200s church in the area. However, it may be that these are fakes carved by the Revd C.W. Summerfield around 1945.

 

The architectural fragments of St Michael and All Angels, Birchover

 

Inside, you’ll see more of Summerfield’s talent.  He carved the beautiful pew ends and the extraordinary pulpit, inspired by the vision of the prophet Ezekiel.

 

The church is not kept open.  There are two pubs in the village.