St Michael's Church, Berechurch, Essex

Address: Off Berechurch Hall Road, Berechurch, Colchester, Essex, CO2 9NW
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Key readily available on site Monday to Friday, office hours.
Keyholder information, accessibility and facilities

Fine family monuments beneath a spectacular roof

This is an early 16th-century Tudor brick addition to the former church of St Michael, built as a burial chapel for the Audley family.

It is notable for its superbly carved and coloured hammerbeam roof and a fine series of monuments of various dates to the Audley and Walden families.

Particularly charming is the monument to the dashing figure of Sir Henry Audley (who died in 1648), reclining stiffly in his armour with his children kneeling beneath him.

The much rebuilt church now leads a commercial life but the chapel remains consecrated.

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Exterior of St Michael Audley Chapel, Berechurch, Essex. Photo by John R Salmon. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Interior view of St Michael Audley Chapel, Berechurch, Essex Carved effigies from St Michael Audley Chapel, Berechurch, Essex Looking up at the roof of St Michael Audley Chapel, Berechurch, Essex. Photo by John R Salmon. Not to be reproduced without permission.

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How to find us

To locate this church on a map, click on the 'View on map' link that appears below the address information at the top of the page.

Road directions

1 mile south of Colchester, between B1025 & B1026 opposite new housing development, access is off Berechurch Hall Road via a footpath along a driveway between the entrance to Berechurch Hall Camp and the roundabout where it meets Roman Way.

Public transport information

Nearest railway stations: Colchester Town (1.9 miles) or Hythe (2.4 miles)

OS Reference No.

TL 993 219

What’s on & news

News

01/05/12 Following on from the success of our Discover Wallpaintings project last year we are delighted to announce the launch of…

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Close up of a mosaic at St Peter, Northampton

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News about this church

You can find out more about each of the news items summarised below by clicking on the news title.
Revealing Royal Arms - new web resource
Donate to CCT by text

Donate by text

Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.

Close up of a mosaic at St Peter, Northampton

Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).

Or use the button below to donate online.

Donate online

Image gallery

Click on images to view larger

Donate by text

Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.

Close up of a mosaic at St Peter, Northampton

Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).

Or use the button below to donate online.

Donate online

Useful information

Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church and the CCT before you visit?

You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.







PDF iconBedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex & London County Guide (PDF, 4.6mb)

This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches CCT cares for in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Essex & London. Printed copies of the county guide are also available at the church.

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St Martin's Church, Colchester, Essex

St Martin's Church, Colchester, Essex Built of recycled Roman brick West Stockwell Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1HN
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St Leonard-at-the-Hythe Church, Colchester, Essex

St Leonard-at-the-Hythe Church, Colchester, Essex Traces of the English Civil War Hythe Hill, Colchester, Essex, CO1 2NP
 See church page

St Mary's Church, West Bergholt, Essex

St Mary's Church, West Bergholt, Essex A harmonious jumble of centuries past Hall Road, West Bergholt, Colchester, Essex, CO6 3DU
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Nearby attractions

Colchester, St Botolph's Priory

Colchester, St Botolph's Priory The remains of one of the first Augustinian priories in England, founded in c.1100 and an impressive example of early Norman architecture. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/colchester-st-botolphs-priory

Donate by text

Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.

Close up of a mosaic at St Peter, Northampton

Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).

Or use the button below to donate online.

Donate online

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Donate by text

Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.

Close up of a mosaic at St Peter, Northampton

Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).

Or use the button below to donate online.

Donate online

Community information for St Michael's Church, Berechurch

 

All our Essex churches are in CCT’s South East region.

Useful local links

Visit Essex tourism website

Essex Society for Family History

History of Essex website

Essex Society for Archaeology & History

Essex churches website

Friends of Essex Churches Trust

List of Essex churches

Essex is in the Diocese of Chelmsford

Donate by text

Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.

Close up of a mosaic at St Peter, Northampton

Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).

Or use the button below to donate online.

Donate online

St Michael's Church, Berechurch, Essex

Keyholder

If the access information for this church is listed as 'Keyholder nearby', this means that the key is kept by one of our invaluable volunteer 'keyholders', who usually live just a short walk from the church and can give visitors the key; sometimes this is a nearby hotel, pub, library, art gallery or other venue. You will find instructions explaining how to get the key when you arrive at the church.

Facilities

Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number of them have heating or running water meaning that they can be cold, and very rarely have toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor. We do apologise for any inconvenience the lack of facilities may cause.