The Belfry
In the bell chamber there were once four bells; the original no.2 bell was removed long ago but the three which remain are of considerable historical interest. Although the bells themselves are excellent castings of good tone, the condition of their fittings has progressively deteriorated so that it is no longer possible safely to use them in any way.
Treble Bell: Diameter 30", note D-flat, weight 5-cwts. Bristol Foundry, mid l5th century Inscribed: (Crown)STEPAULEORAPRONOBIS (St. Paul, pray for us)
Second Bell: Diameter 36'/z", note B-flat, weight 8-cwts. Thomas Gefferies, Bristol, c.1520 Inscribed: + snacx : ta (crown) ma : ri : a (mark) ~ (Holy Mary) T(HOMAS) G(efferies)
Tenor Bell: Diameter 39'/4", note A-flat, weight 10-cwts. Roger Purdue I, Bristol, 1620 Inscribed: W G . R L . C D . W S COME.WHEN.I.CALL.AND.SERVE.GOD ALL 1620.
The missing bell was the original no.2 of the peal and would have been about 33" diameter and weighed around 6'/4-cwts. Parts of the bellframe are of medieval origin, further alterations being made probably in 1620 when the tenor bell was cast. In the last century (possibly when the old second bell was removed) much of the frame was cut away on three sides and replaced with mere timber props. What is left, and the bells themselves, is listed for preservation. A new frame and all new bell fittings will be required before they can ring again - may it not be too long before we can hear and heed again the message on the tenor: Come when I call, and serve God all. Our former Diocesan Bells adviser, David Cawley, provided this information, adding "Let's hope it moves someone to do something, what a pity that the fastest growing parish in the Diocese is deprived of the loudest sound which is made to the glory of God."
The Chancel
The Arch is eighteenth century.On the North side is the Vestry. This used to be known as the Duchess's Room and was open to the Chancel. It was used by the Duchess of Beaufort, where she would sit by the eighteenth century fireplace and take part in the service. She is reputed to have made quite a noise rattling the fire with the poker when she thought the sermon should end. So that she could see the Vicar the pulpit was placed in the lower part of the Chancel next to the Belfry. From this position it was very difficult for the rest of the congregation to hear the sermon, and the Vicar no doubt found it hard to make himself heard. Perhaps because of this, or his Welsh oratory, Vicar Railton Jones in the 1930's was apt to gesticulate and thump the pulpit to press points in his sermon, One day he was shocked to be interrupted by a young lady Lily Wicks shouting "Vicar you're on fire." The candles then used for illumination had set his sleeves alight. The old altar rails are Jacobean. In 1923 two small girls, Marjorie Powell and Margaret Taylor undertook the task of removing the white paint and restoring them to their original condition. Also in the Chancel is the old bible, given to the church by Admiral Close towards the end of the nineteenth century, which is now housed in a typical bible box (given by Rita Southgate) of approximately the same date.
For many years the repositioning of the pulpit was discussed. It was removed during the alterations of the 1970's and replaced by an Eagle Lectern, given by St. Philip and St. Jacobs Church in Bristol, who had acquired it from the bombed Church of Emmanuel. The legal fees were paid by Mrs. Johnson in memory of her mother. Some pews were also removed to make more space. The Chancel was altered at this time. A platform was built and the whole area carpeted. The altar was brought forward and new altar rails were purchased. Volunteers completely redecorated the Church. Wooden kneelers were replaced by hassocks, skillfully embroidered by the ladies of the Parish. People who wished to contribute to the cost had their initials sewn on the back. The stained glass window at the East End was made by Joseph Bell of Bristol in 1900. The figures bear a close resemblance to Admiral and Lady Close.
As part of her GCE studies Nina Shiels designed and embroidered the banner, which symbolised St. Michael's challenge of Light against Darkness. The Archangel was depicted in rich colours on a previous banner. Striking pictures of archangels hung on the Chancel walls until about 1930. They were on plaques of thick paper and showed St. Michael the champion of faith with his sword, St. Raphael the pilgrim with his staff and a fish & St. Gabriel the angel of divine revelation. The Cherry wood candlesticks were made by Windsor Davies, headmaster of the School from the 'Judas Tree' which had to be cut down from the Vicarage garden when the Parkway Station was built. There are memorial tablets to the Berkeley family round the walls of the Chancel. The Berkeley Coat of Arms, which used to hang in the Vestry, is no longer there. Church records, dating from 1588 - the year of the Armada, which used to be kept in the Vestry are now in the safe keeping of the City Archives in Bristol. Records for Poor Law Relief, administered by the Church Wardens and overseers which were in the Muniments Room at Badminton are now with the Gloucester Records office.
