Church spotlight: St Michael and All Angel's Church at Lilleshall

"It's a building that has been prayed in for such a long time, and you can really sense that," says Matthew, who moved to the church in Lilleshall two years ago.

"It's got the history, but it's also alive. It's important to remember that Christianity is not just about old things, it is about making a difference to people's lives here and now."

The church has a weekly congregation of around 75 members, and Matthew says it plays an important role in the community, hosting a number of musical events throughout the year. On November 22 the church will host Lilleshall Live Aid, an afternoon of music to raise money for refugees fleeing Syria.

• Established c1190

• Main services are 9.30am every Sunday, and feature a mixture of traditional hymns and modern worship songs. Music varies between the organ, electric piano, guitar and sometimes violin.

• In the north wall of the chancel is one of the finest monuments in Shropshire, dedicated to Sir Richard Leveson and and his wife. It features two reclining figures, with an architectural surround, columns on each side and a pediment above.

• Two stone shields are set in the south wall of the tower, one of which features the crest of the Levesons of Lilleshall

• There is a “messy church” for children held six times a year on Thursday afternoons from 4pm. It starts with drinks and doughnuts, and children take part in messy craft activities, sing songs and listen to a short talk before having a hot meal.[/breakout]

Matthew, who is originally from London, moved to Shropshire 10 years ago, initially being based at Madeley and Sutton Hill.

"I think Shropshire is one of Britain's hidden gems," says the 52-year-old, who previously worked as a schoolteacher.

"Having always lived in towns, Lilleshall is much more rural. I love the fact that we can walk around the village and people will just say 'hello', which you don't get in London or the south."

Matthew also likes the church's lofty position at the top of the hill.

"I love the fact that it is on a high point, where you have got views looking out to the cross at the abbey," he says.

"Then, when you come the other way, on the way into Lilleshall, you can see the church up against the sky, it's lovely."

It is thought that there has been a church on the site since the 7th century. St Chad is said to have visited Lilla's Hill to spread the Gospel in 670AD to spread the Gospel, and a small Saxon church was erected.

The present church building was originally built about 1190, and was dedicated to St Michael and All Angels. It would be another 400 years before it became the building we recognise today though. The story of St Michael's has been one of centuries of evolution.

The south doorway is the oldest part of the present church, and has two shafts with a chevron carving above.

Parts of the nave also date back to Norman times, while the chancel is Early English and the north aisle was added in about 1300.

The font, with its intricate carvings, is worthy of special mention, being thought to predate the church, possibly dating back as far as 900AD. There is a story that it originally came from Lilleshall Abbey, but it has also been suggested that it might have been in the original Saxon church.

At the west end of the nave is a royal coat of arms with the initials C R; there is some dispute about whether this refers to Charles I or II.

The roofs are also architecturally interesting. Above the north aisle is a trussed-rafter roof, and over the nave are tie and collar beams, both thought to date from medieval times.

A major restoration was carried out in 1856 when the appearance of the building must have changed quite dramatically. Galleries and two dormer windows were removed and the font was put in its present position. The extensive work meant that the building had to be closed for worship for a few months. A plaque on the north wall commemorates the reopening of the restored and re-ordered building.

It was during this time that the splendid reredos were presented to the church by the Duchess of Sutherland. It is a sculpture in a single piece of stone depicting the Biblical seen of Jesus at table in the village of Emmaus, near Jerusalem, following the Resurrection. In this superb piece of carving, sculptor John Farmer of London captures the moment when the two disciples recognised Jesus, as recorded in Luke's Gospel.

The church has a fine two-manual organ which was installed in 1891, and Matthew says the church has a very strong choir, although it also embraces contemporary music styles as well.

"We have got a very active bell-ringing team as well, they ring the bells mostly on Sunday evenings and important occasions, and we also host visiting teams of bell ringers from other parts of Shropshire and Cheshire," he adds.

Matthew says the church is popular with visitors, particularly in the summer months.

"We try to leave the church open on a Sunday in the summer, and at any time you can get a key from the vicarage," he adds.