The real time machine in the Wiltshire village of Aldbourne is the church of St Michael. OK Dr Who might have briefly passed through the village in 1971 but, compared to the church, his journeys through time are but trivial affairs. Lets hang some facts on this assertion.
(Aldbourne, Wiltshire, the Church of St Michael viewd from the South East across the village green)
Aldbourne was historically an important community with evidence of human habitation in the area from pre-history through the Roman and Saxon periods. The parish was on an important medieval track and is part bounded by Roman roads. Certainly there was a settlement here through Saxon times. A tributary of the Kennet, the Winterbourne, gives rise to the villages Saxon name of Ealdincburnan (the stream of Ealda or Ealdas people). Those interested in the history of the area are referred to John Chandlers excellent book 'Marlborough and Eastern Wiltshire'.
(Aldbourne, Wiltshire, the Church of St Michael, from 'Crooked Corner' to the east of the church)
There was likely to have been a church on this site since Saxon times, certainly there was one by the time of the Doomsday book. This early church was replaced in the 12'th century by one with a long central nave, probably a central tower , a substantial chancel and transepts. This building was largely destroyed by fire in the 13'th century, the subsequent rebuilding giving the basis of the church as we now know it. The 13'th century church would have again been of a nave with North and South Aisles, transepts, central tower and chancel. Parts of the mismatched arches in the nave incorporate stonework and decoration from the earlier church, the finely decorated 12'th century south doorway being re-set in the South Wall.
(Aldbourne, Wiltshire, the church of St Michael, 12'th century doorway in 15'th century porch)
(Aldbourne, Wiltshire, the church of St Michael, nave looking east to chancel)
In the 15'th century the church was launched onto another journey through ecclesiastical architecture. The central tower was demolished to be replaced by the high arched transepts and crossing of the current church. These arches in the perpendicular style are important contributions to the church as we know it. At the same time the nave walls were raised to their current height and the current roof (now actually just a ceiling) built. As part of the same rebuilding the West tower was built, joined to the church by narrow, but high perpendicular arch. The lady chapel was added as a chantry chapel to the north of the chancel and east end of the South Aisle and transept converted to the Goddard Chapel.
(Aldbourne, Wiltshire, the church of St Michael, from the crossing. To the left (north) the lady chapel, to the right the Goddard Chapel, through the chancel you can just see the vestry)
Both the Goddard Chapel and the Lady Chapel have fine monuments, the one in the Goddard Chapel replacing an earlier altar. A Medieval tomb is located towards the rear of the chancel.
Come the 16'th century and the comparatively flatly pitched roof of the nave was found to be leaking and suffering damage from the weather. A new pitched roof was built with the 15'th century roof being retained as the nave ceiling.
(Aldbourne, Wiltshire, the church of St Michael, Walrond memorial in Lady Chapel viewed from Chancel and the Goddard Monument viewed through the South Transept)
(Aldbourne, Wiltshire, the church of St Michael, nave viewed from the chancel to west door and tower, 15'th century roof to nave)
A mid 19'th century restoration saw the removal of the chancel screen, the installation of the current pews, A small area of medieval wall decoration can still be seen at the west end of the South Aisle.
The church of St Michael commands the village green, overlooking the village which it serves. The sloping graveyard, home to many butterflies at the time of my last visit is well kept and partly managed for nature.
(Aldbourne, Wiltshire, the church of St Michael from the North East)
This is an impressive structure, now well exercised of the Daemons of Dr Who and more than worth a visit in its own right. The church is normally open and was photographed in September 2010 for theChurchPhotographer by Nick Temple-Fry.
