Founded around 1070, just 4 years after the Norman Conquest, St Michael's is the oldest building in Southampton and the only church from the original mediaeval town still in use.
Of the original Norman church, only the central tower survives. The church was expanded in the 12th-14th Centuries, with the rebuilding of the chancel and nave and the addition of aisles and north and south chapels. The tower spire was erected in the 15th Century and rebuilt in 1732, then further heightened in 1887 to make it a better landmark for shipping.
The interior contains the impressive the tomb of Sir Richard Lyster, Lord Chief Justice to Henry VIII, and a font of Tournai marble from the 12th Century decorated with three rounders on each side, one of which depicts St Michael the Archangel; the others depict creatures that might be Griffins or winged lions. The church also contains two fine mediaeval eagle lecterns from the 14th Century, one rescued from the bombed ruins of Holy Rood church in the Second World War.
The church has a busy parish life with worship in a traditional style with a sung Eucharist. read more