Church of St Michael

St Michael and All Angels stands in the quiet village of Garton on the Wolds in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The church traces its origins to about 1132 when it was built for the prior of Kirkham Abbey. Over the centuries it has been rebuilt and enlarged, most notably in the 14th and 15th centuries when the upper stage of the tower was added. By the mid-19th century the building had fallen into disrepair and Sir Tatton Sykes the Fourth commissioned John Loughborough Pearson to restore it between 1855 and 1857. The tower and a few features remain from the original church, while Pearson’s work forms most of what stands today. The church is worth visiting for its remarkable Victorian murals painted by the firm of Clayton and Bell in 1865. These murals cover almost the entire interior and depict scenes from the Bible, intended as a response to the challenges posed by Darwin’s theories. The murals were once in poor condition but were restored between 1986 and 1991 in memory of Nikolaus Pevsner, who had urged their preservation. The church is also noted for its Romanesque carvings, stained glass and painted roofs by the same artists, and Cosmati-style paving installed by Pearson after he saw similar work in Italy. Inside, visitors find a three-storey tower whose first two storeys date from the 12th century while the top belongs to the 15th century Perpendicular style. The nave murals show Old Testament scenes and the chancel ones New Testament stories, all executed in rich detail. The church’s sandstone ashlar walls and Early Gothic doorway reflect Pearson’s restoration. The painted roofs and stained glass add colour and pattern, while the Spanish-style tile dado runs beneath the murals. The building remains an active parish church and continues to serve the local community.