This charming little church is in the hamlet of Penhurst next to the Retreat Centre. At Penhurst, the worship and services use the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and this is greatly appreciated by the congregation that meets there. Services are conducted here at 9.00 am on the first Sunday of the month and otherwise at 10.30 am.

The Church dates from around 1340 with substantial extension and alteration over the following one and a half centuries.
It is situated in an elevated position in a quiet rural setting consisting of a Manor House with its own roadside pond and farm buildings. The area remains largely unchanged and unspoilt over generations.
The Church is built of Wealden sandstone in large blocks, carefully squared and without significant alteration over the years. The West tower has a tall elegant arch, hipped roof with eaves and an interesting centre post. The staircase leads to an upper storey, which is tile hung and contains two bells cast in 1781. This area provides access to the main roof space.
On the North side there is a small Chapel/Vestry and on the South side an open timber framed porch of simple design but of considerable interest and with a weathered appearance.
There are several other features in the Church , which are notable including the 14th. century screen dividing the Nave from the Chancel and a Piscina on the South side of the Sanctuary. The carved oak pulpit dates from Tudor times and is thought to have been brought from the Long Melford Church in Suffolk.
There are simple turned oak balusters to the Communion rail, introduced by order of
Archbishop Laud. The oak box pews were made locally about the year 1858 and were a gift from the then Earl of Ashburnham.
The Church was renovated from near dereliction in the early 1960s by Paul Broomhall (who lived in the adjacent Manor House). He also established a trust fund for its upkeep.
The patrons of the parish were members of the Ashburnham family until the 1930s, when the patronage passed to Mr John Bickersteth , a grandson of the 4th Earl. In 1964 it was decided to give the patronage to the Trustees of the Ashburnham Christian Trust.

St Michaels is open to visitors daily from 10am to dusk.

Load map in Google Maps