Church of St Michael

St Michael’s Church stands in the Derbyshire village of Breaston. A Grade I listed building, it belongs to the Church of England and serves the local parish. The church’s oldest parts date from the 11th century, though most of what visitors see today comes from the 14th and 15th centuries. In the 16th century the roofs were raised to create more space inside. A major restoration in 1871 by Robert Evans of Nottingham replaced box pews with new seating and laid encaustic tiles in the chancel. Robert Evans and Son returned between 1895 and 1899 to add a vestry and restore the stained glass window of St Michael by Heaton, Butler and Bayne. The church is part of a joint parish with St Chad’s at Church Wilne and St Mary’s at Draycott. Its pipe organ was built in 1975 by Nigel Church and still serves the congregation. The contractor for earlier works was C Baines of Newark, who re-leaded the south aisle roof. The nave and aisles show red quarry tiles while the chancel floor carries May and Co encaustic tiles. A small vestry was added in the 19th century to provide extra space for clergy and choir. Inside, the church offers a quiet space for reflection. The nave contains the organ on the west side and the choir stalls near the chancel. The stained glass window of St Michael stands above the altar. Red quarry tiles run along the aisles while patterned encaustic tiles mark the chancel floor. The raised roofs give the interior an airy feel. Outside, the churchyard provides a peaceful setting beside the village.