WiltshireLYNEHAMStMichael(eirianevansCC-BY-SA2.0)1 EirianEvans

St Michael

A lovely rural church and churchyard both containing historical items highlighting the connections with the former RAF Station at Lyneham, in particular the Lyneham stained glass window unveiled in 1990 by Her Majesty the Queen.

Lyneham, Wiltshire

Opening times

Covid19: Once we return to normal times it is intended to open the church for a couple of days during the week for visitors.

Address

Calne Road
Lyneham
Wiltshire
SN15 4PR

There is a mention in the Domesday Book of a church at Lyneham and the Yew tree outside the porch is believed to date from that period. Most of the church including the tower, north aisle and south porch of the church are late 14th and 15th century structures. The chancel, nave and nave roof were completely rebuilt in 1863, the chancel being redesigned by the great Victorian architect William Butterfield. The two manual organ by Sweetland was installed in 1909 helped by a donation from Andrew Carnegie( of Carnegie Hall fame). Some of the items in the church, such as the Rood Screen are believed to come from the nearby Bradenstoke Abbey.

In the 1960s an agreement was reached between the Bishop of Salisbury and the Chaplain in Chief of the RAF whereby the RAF Chaplains at RAF Lyneham were to serve the parish of Lyneham with Bradenstoke. As part of the agreement Lyneham Church was also to become the RAF Lyneham Station church. This arrangement worked very well and lasted for over 40 years. There are a number of artefacts that highlight the connection with the RAF including 8 Sqn Standards laid to rest, two RAF altars ( one built by US CeeBees after the Hercules crash in Iraq 2005 and presented to the RAF )and the 47 Sqn stained glass window. Of particular interest is the RAF Lyneham Stained glass window created by Henry Haig and unveiled by Her Majesty the Queen in 1990. St Michaels was the first church that the Archbishops's envoy Terry Waite visited on his return from captivity in the Middle East.

The churchyard contains a military graves site managed by the CWGC.

  • Wildlife haven

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • National heritage here

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Famous connections

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Steps to enter the church or churchyard

  • Ramp or level access available on request

  • Dog friendly

  • Car park at church

  • Café within 500m

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • There is a Summer Fete and Christmas Fayre.

  • The church Hall is hired out to private individuals and various user groups.

  • A coffee morning is held every Thursday in the church Hall.

  • Church of England

  • Gateway Grant, £8,000, 2020

  • Our Gateway Grants fund churches developing building projects and also urgent maintenance and repair projects to help keep churches open.

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St Peter

Clyffe Pypard, Wiltshire

This Grade I church is mainly Perpendicular.