St Michael on the Mount Church Lincoln Guide & History
It’s a good place for a church - near the top of Steep Hill in Lincoln and very close to the Cathedral itself.
It seems a natural stopping point for those looking to get their breath back - not so your host of course - he’s powered by Duracell and goes on and on 
Here’s an interesting and individual church St. Michael on the Mount in Lincoln - Lincolnshire
It’s had something of a chequered history, being made redundant in 1998 and was sold off by the Diocese. There seems to be some renovation or remedial work in progress at the time of writing but that situation appears not to have changed for some time now - I’m not sure whether work is actively in progress.
It’s a superb building in an incredible spot seated high on the hill and looking out over Lincoln and just in the shadow of Lincoln cathedral.
It was destroyed by Parliamentary forces and their artillery in 1643 providing something of an easy and tempting target in its exposed spot.
It was then completely abandoned from 1685 to 1744 before getting a complete rebuild in 1853 - a trying history and it’s a shame to see it’s still suffering.
St. Michael on the Mount Church in Lincoln
Having mentioned it was sold I have just, quite literally, found out it sold for £545,000 which came as quite a surprise !
If you have any historical information on the church, anecdotal stories or myths - or indeed you’ve just been there please do share it and leave a comment so we can build up as much information as possible over time.
Half a Millionly Yours
Rod
See More Lincolnshire Churches
Annie Flinn said,
October 30, 2009 @ 6:11 pm
Rod,
What cunning architecture this church seems to have. This may quickly become my favorite among the churchs you have shown.
Annie
Rod said,
October 30, 2009 @ 7:19 pm
Annie,
I’d love to see it in all its splendour, without the builders fencing etc.
As you look at the picture you’ll see the steep grass bank, that’s the level of the incline. To the right a little further up the hill sits Lincoln Cathedral which you’ve just seen the pic of.
To the left it slopes down dramatically and over look Lincoln itself.
Cheers
Rod
Femme Fatale said,
October 31, 2009 @ 8:20 am
Annie,
My thoughts exactly, I was looking at the photo and thought “what a pretty little church”, it must be a girl thing
FF
xx
Raie said,
November 12, 2009 @ 10:42 am
Im afraid I have to tell you this church has been sold at auction and the plan is to turn it into flats!
I am currently researching this church due to a project for my masters. A pair of shoes dating circa 1840 were found under the floor by a builder in 1998 (the first time the floor has been disturbed since 1853-the time of the renovation) They were given to the university of Lincoln becuase the uni owned the building at that time. Concealed shoes are very rarely found in churches (only 1.9% of all recorded concealed shoes come from churches) and these were a pair of shoes probably for an adolescent. Shoes are concealed for a variety of reasons
1 Protection from evil spirits and witches
2 Good Luck
3 Fertility
4 A stand in for a foundation sacrifice
5 To help people settle there
We have no idea who buried the shoes or for what purpose but I thought as the church may soon no longer exist, that some of its history should be preserved.
Raie said,
November 12, 2009 @ 11:55 am
Also just found out that its rebuilding was funded by the Incorporated Society for Promoting the Enlargement, Building and Repairing of Churches and Chapels. This was agreed at a meeting of the society on Monday 18th July 1853 and published in The Morning Chronicle (London, Enland) on Wednesday 20th July 1853. The article says
“The church of St Michael on the Mount at Lincoln is a very small dilapidated building, containing only 45 seats, while the population of the Parish is 1,362 and there is a great defficiency of church accomodation in the adjoining parish.”
Rod said,
November 12, 2009 @ 2:20 pm
Raie,
thanks for taking the time to comment and for the valuable and interesting informatiuon about the hidden shoes - really appreciated.
I do hope the church is not pulled down, that would be a travesty !
Welcome to the site Raie and I hope you’ll return
All the best
Rod
rach said,
January 5, 2010 @ 7:27 pm
My parents were married here but not sure when without asking them. Having recently got engaged it would have been my one consideration for a church wedding but my parents informed me off the plan for flats. Seems such a shame as its a beautiful church
Rod said,
January 5, 2010 @ 7:40 pm
Hi Rach
it is indeed a real shame and shouldn’t really be allowed in my opinion but then what’s that worth.
Best of luck with the wedding
Rod
Philippa said,
May 13, 2010 @ 6:31 pm
i have just discovered through Family Search that my Great Great Grandmother Martha Raynor was christened her on the 18 Nov 1828 -how i came across this site!
Alan Teulon said,
December 21, 2010 @ 7:29 pm
Hallo Rod, the church of St Michael on the Mount was designed (ie rebuilt) by my late relative Samuel Sanders Teulon 1812-1873). I have some information and have written “Life and Work of S S T , Victorian architect”.
Rod said,
December 21, 2010 @ 7:48 pm
Hi Alan,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site - what a fabulous connection to have and what a stunning job he made of the design - I really do like that church
Regards
Rod
Anne said,
January 15, 2011 @ 12:39 pm
My Aunt and Uncle were married here in August 1951 and I have a black and white photo which I will try to upload for you. I have lived in Lincoln all my life and love this area around the cathedral.
Chris said,
January 22, 2011 @ 3:18 pm
Hello Rod,
I work for the University of Lincoln; the shoes mentioned by Raie were found resting between the floor joists and were conserved by one of our students at the Conservation Unit based in nearby Chad Varah House (the old Lincoln Theological College). We have them in the collection. Another student repaired and refitted a stained glass window from the east end. I found the remains in a bucket in the boiler room! St. Michael’s had been converted by De Montfort University Lincoln in 1998. A mezzanine floor was inserted and studio spaces provided for various art courses. Sadly, the original organ was removed and skipped - quite unbelievable. The University of Lincoln took over in 2001 and it was later placed on the market. There was (is?) a large monument to a master of the Bluecoat School (just across the road) and two magnificent carved angels at the east end. Not seen the interior for years but hope these have all survived the changes. Currently it seems part of the graveyard is being converted into a carpark for the flats.
As everyone agrees - a lovely building that fits perfectly into its position.
Chris
Rod said,
January 22, 2011 @ 6:40 pm
Hi Chris,
thanks for the great information, really appreciated and welcome to the site.
Kind regards
Rod
History Hunter said,
January 24, 2011 @ 2:41 pm
h**p://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/news/ROOM-PEW/article-3073855-detail/article.html
Katharine said,
January 30, 2011 @ 9:24 pm
Hello there,
Since the auction the church has been resold and the new plans are to convert it into a luxury boutique hotel and wedding venue. It will also be available for complete private hire. I don’t think the planning permission has been finalised yet but it is well on. The new owners are keen to give the church a loving new lease of life and make it a valued part of uphill Lincoln. The designs for the hotel will bring in some modern styling but are intended to enhance the stunning architectural features and maintain the integrity of the building. The beautiful angels have been taken down for a cleaning but will be restored to their homes within the re-vamp.
All being well it will be looking fabulous by the latter part of this year!
James said,
February 11, 2011 @ 5:31 pm
Hi Katherine
Are you lined up to do the interior design for the hotel? That would be an amazing project to be working on…
Callum J said,
May 18, 2011 @ 4:54 pm
The church features in my (Dan Green) Movie-Docu explaining the ‘Lincoln Cathedral code’. It has an amazing stain glass window of Mary Magdalene and above her the Freemasonic ‘Squaring of the circle’, confirming a Masoic connection somewhere down the historical time line. Such a shame it has been lost to a hotelier..synchronistic - as is much of the Code - that the proprieter is a Mr Green!
Rachel said,
November 18, 2011 @ 8:48 am
You’ll be pleased to know that the alterations are going ahead with archaeological conditions attached to the planning permission. I am reproducing some of the information given here for the historical background section of the archaeological specification; hope that’s all right. I can’t pers. comm. individuals because you haven’t given your full (or possibly even real) names, but I promise I’ll make full bibliographic reference to the website, with its address.
Rod said,
November 18, 2011 @ 6:32 pm
Hi Rachel,
thanks for the update, much appreciated.
Regards
Rod
steve said,
December 2, 2011 @ 2:31 pm
Was reading up about secret tunnels under the cathedral and surrounding area,s and found some interesting folk law.
According to some there is a tunnel that goes from the cathedral and to a house that was used to hold women till court appearances, this tunnel goes directly under ST Micheal,s Mount.
The church was bought for over 200k more than the asking price so to secure its sale so the tunnel could not be explored , but sealed and hid with no trace.