One of the little gems of the Cotswold, St Michael's church at Duntisbourne Rouse is a few miles north of Cirencester. The traveller seeking this Gloucestershire church is well advised to travel slowly as the church is screened from the road and the wooden sign post worn to the point of near illegibility.
A curious structure, situated on the hillside of the River Dunt this church boasts of much to interest the visitor. The nave dates from late 11'th century and is of typical Saxon form, the chancel is a 12'th century addition. Underneath the chancel is a small crypt chapel, accessed now from a door in the south side of the church. The two stage saddle-back tower was probably started in the late 15'th century, though inscriptions in the upper tier suggest it wasn't completed until 1587. Comparatively modern the porch is an 18'th century addition.
Internally the nave retains much of it's original character with the addition of a 15'th century window at the west end. The panelling is early 18'th century as are the low box pews. There is a well finished Jacobean pulpit and a late Norman octagonal font. The Chancel arch is 12'th century.
On the north wall of the Chancel there are remains of late Norman wall paintings. Along the walls are 15'th century choir stalls complete with misericords.
The curiosity which is the crypt chapel is stone floored, there are remains of Norman wall paintings, to the North of the window can just be made out the figure of a saint. Now decayed it is likely that the interior was vibrant with colour.
In the steeply sloping graveyard there is the defaced remains of a 14'th century cross. This church is normally open and was photographed for theChurchPhotographer during January 2012.
