Churches of the week 2021

Completed in 1525, this outstanding example of late medieval architecture was built by local merchants who made their fortunes in the woollen industry.

Built as as wooden shrine to St Cuthbert in the early 9th century and home to the Lindesfarne community from 883-995 AD, the church is steeped in history and houses a copy of the earliest surviving translation of the gospels into early English.

Tucked behind the bustle of Oxford Street can be found one of the foremost examples of High Victorian Gothic architecture in Britain. It was here that architect William Butterfield created his masterpiece when he saw the possibilities of using coloured brick for making modern buildings that were both decorative and functional. The interior is even more richly decorated, with marble and tile marquetry.

This delightful Cornish church was the first parish of Sir Jonathan Trelawney who rose to become Bishop of Bristol and, along with six other Bishops, was imprisoned in the Tower of London for three weeks for his petition against King James II's Declaration of Indulgence.

High on the rocky cliffs of north Anglesey, this humble windswept church is said to be one of the oldest in Wales. Its origins lie in a dramatic story of shipwreck from around the year 440, not long after the Roman occupying army had left the country.

12th century St Laurence’s has from some of the best medieval glass in the country, some of the finest misericords, and a collection of superlative memorials. No wonder it is known as “The cathedral of the Marches”.

Standing forlorn in a field away from the village, this simple and unassuming Norman church has a chancel decorated with the most complete set of Romanesque frescos in northern Europe.

Regarded as one of the finest late medieval churches on the Western Isles, St Clement's is famous for the superbly carved tomb of Alexander MacLeod of Harris, which depicts a magnificent array of hunting, sailing, and religious figures.

Described as the 'Sistine chapel of the North', St Michael & All Angels is surely one of the finest Baroque churches in the country.

This remarkable historic church, complete with 10th century Saxon tower, medieval nave and chancel is also home to over 2,800 burials dating from Anglo-Saxon to Victorian times. It also has a skeleton from the reign of King Canute, restored to its original wooden coffin.

One of only four bridge chapels in England, the chapel has had a colourful history. As well as being a place of worship, it has been an almshouse, a tobacconist and even served for a period of time as Rotherham’s jail.