Inside St Michael & All Angels Church, Great Witley

Great Witley Church may be described as ‘Baroque’ and is understood to be unique. Internally it more closely ressembles a stately home than a conventional English church!

The gilded stucco designs were created by Giovanni Bagutti, for the Duke of Chandos's Chapel at Cannons Palace (Edgeware, Middlesex). He had also created designs for Castle Howard in Yorkshire and St Martin in the Fields, London. However when Lord Foley bought the Chapel's contents for Great Witley, the original plasterwork was replaced by papier-mâché moulds, so a much lighter ceiling was created.

Notable also are its wonderful stained glass/enamelled windows, which appeared to admit sunlight even on the cloudy day of our visit, and its ceiling paintings. A mirror is thoughtfully provided below, for viewing the centre one of The Ascension.

This view is from the west gallery.

(Information provided by Rosemary Lockie)