St Michael's stands majestically at the top of Jolly Butcher's Hill on the junction of High Road and Bounds Green Road N22. Its undoubtedly one of the most significant and architecturally important buildings of Wood Green.

Before 1843 the people of Wood Green would walk all the way over to All Hallows, Tottenham to worship. In 1843 however, they made a request for a church of their own.

St Michael's Chapel of Ease was built to designs by Messrs Scott (later Sir Gilbert) and Moffatt, and was consecrated on October 3rd 1844.
The land the church had been built on was not very stable though and the building began to crack. Around the same time the population of the area was increasing rapidly, and the church was considered far too small.

In 1859 it was decided to demolish the old church and build a much larger Nave � the Nave we see today. In 1871 a new Chancel was added, and a Tower in 1874 followed by a Spire in 1887 designed by Sir Gilbert Scott.

St Michael's has a great quantity of exceptional quality Victorian stained glass.
The West window, installed between 1891 and 1905 depicts the four Archangels - Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel. Its interesting to note that two of the panels were inserted incorrectly and remain that way today.

In recent times we have been able to uncover the beautiful Victorian tiled flooring in the old chancel. Some years ago it was covered with carpet as radical alterations to the inside fabric of the church were carried out. The original organ was removed from the church and replaced with another instrument situated in the North West corner. This organ has now been removed to form a creche corner. Music for services is now provided by digital means (MIDI files etc). Screens have been carefully introduced to display texts.
The choir pews were moved at the same time to a new central position at the West end of the church behind the Font.
The lighting system has also been totally renewed throughout the church, and has been tastefully designed, with spotlights on certain features.

A copy of the 1517 painting by Andrea del Sarto hangs in the North Aisle. It depicts Our Lady with Ss John the Baptist and Francis of Assisi. It was given to St Michael's by Fr R L Gwynne, Rector of Little Easton, Essex.

 

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