St. Michael's Church, Southampton

St. Michael's Church, Southampton

This impressive church is Southampton's oldest building still in use. Saint Michael's Chruch was founded in 1070. Henry II gave the church to the monks of Saint Denys, who administered the church until the 1537 Dissolution.

Saint Michael's was enlarged during the 13th century as Southampton prospered. The first spire was added in the 15th century and renovated with an additional 9 feet in 1887. The spire is now 165 feet high.

While much of Southhampton was damaged during WWII, the church and spire escaped significant damage.

The East Window depicts Southampton's five medieval churches. Unfortunately, Saint Michael's is the only one still standing. The West Window portrays Saint Michael killing the dragon.

The unique font dates to the 12th century and was created from a single block of black marble.

One of the brass lecterns was rescued from Holyrood Church. This pulpit dates to the 14th or 15th century and is the most impressive in England. It depicts an eagle with separated wing feathers.

Saint Michael's church is home to several tombs. The most famous tomb belongs to Sir Richard Lyster, who was the chief justice of the King's Bench. He was interred here in 1554.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Southampton. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

St. Michael's Church on Map

Sight Name: St. Michael's Church
Sight Location: Southampton, England (See walking tours in Southampton)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Southampton, England

Create Your Own Walk in Southampton

Create Your Own Walk in Southampton

Creating your own self-guided walk in Southampton is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Southampton Old Town Walking Tour

Southampton Old Town Walking Tour

Southampton is a bustling coastal city with the history going back all the way to the Stone Age. There are over 90 listed buildings and 30 ancient monuments in the Old Town, including medieval watch towers and dungeons, an array of churches, fine timber-framed Tudor houses, inns and hole-in-the-wall pubs. Despite heavy bombardment during WWII, much of Southampton's historic heritage survived...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Titanic Tour in Southampton

Titanic Tour in Southampton

Over a hundred years since the sinking of Titanic, the echo of that tragedy still reverberates throughout Southampton. Indeed, nowhere else was the pain of the Titanic disaster, one of the deadliest in maritime history, felt more intensely than here. The majority of Titanic's 900-strong crew were from Southampton, of whom only a handful returned home. More than 500 local households overnight...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Southampton Introduction Walking Tour

Southampton Introduction Walking Tour

Southampton is an important port city with a long history. Archaeological records indicate that the area has been settled since the Stone Age. The Romans had a settlement here, and the Anglo-Saxons later settled in the area.

Southampton became a major port after the 1066 Norman Conquest. Southampton's impressive walls were built following a French incursion in the 1300s.

The Mayflower...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Southampton Waterfront Walk

Southampton Waterfront Walk

A major seaport on the south coast of England, the city of Southampton abounds in attractions of various sorts. Southampton Waterfront, in particular, holds significant historical and cultural value, offering ample opportunities for sightseeing, shopping, dining, recreation, and entertainment.

At the heart of this vibrant area is the Pilgrims Fathers Memorial, commemorating the departure of...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles