St Michael's Church, Stoke

Rob, all that I can deduce is from two Old Maps images. The church was described as St. Chad's in 1906, and St. Michael's in 1913. Any rededication seems to have happened in the intervening years.

Hi all. I was just wondering if anyone knew the date of the earliest burial at Stoke St Michael's? I was there over the weekend to look in on my grandparents and we wondered when the earliest one was. Earliest we saw was 1806 but I'm sure there must be many before that. Cheers.

AD, the parish register on Ancestry starts in 1574 for burials and I think there would have been burials before that. I am sure that it was about that time that they were required to keep records. The church was extended in 1822. One of my ancestors Joseph Harwar died in 1722 and the website for the church mentions that a vault was found in 1992 when they were rebuilding the floor that they think was his vault. It says it would have been outside the church before 1822. It sounds very much like some of the graveyard was built over when the extension was done.

Thanks Annewiggy. Sorry for the late reply - I've been away.

One of the gravestones at Stoke St Michael's near the path to the left as you face the porch had this inscription, which now could be, possibly, indecipherable: "All you who come my grave to see, avoid damp beds and think of me."

Stoke St Michael's Church - 4 Apr 2010

Yesterday, being Sunday, after playing at my chapel in Foleshill, I went for a spot of lunch at the Rose & Crown, opposite Stoke St. Michaels Parish. The bells were being rung, so I stayed awhile to listen.

Got married at Stoke St. Michael's in 1970. The vicar demanded cash before he would conduct the ceremony. I had none on me, but my best man coffed up!

This was where my primary school (Briton Rd) held occasional services. I am stuck trying to remember the lady organist who I believe walked with a limp? The church, being photogenic, was a popular choice for weddings and I was envious of my school friend's Saturday earning's as choirboy. Probably why the vicar demanded cash! Sadly, wedding's were few and far between at Holy Cross, Wyken.

Still looks pretty well the same as when we got married in 1960. The bridesmaids were photographed sitting on a bench in the corner under the bell tower.

I've copied the last two posts to Keresley parish topic.

Horne's moved to Stoke Estate in 1520 and donated much of it in for Bablake.Bonds in the 1580's. Dr. Chris Horne's dad Henry and his wife Cassandra kept a few lots on what is now Far Gosford across from Fargo as well as a few of the homes near the Estate/Church. The Hornes came from Pixley/Nagington/Childs Ercall. It appears they moved to Shropshire from Kent following the Black Plague. My direct ancestor, John moved to Salem, MA in 1630. There is a strong connection with the Sewell's through marriage. I am unaware that Dr. Horne had any children, so there may not be any Horne's in the area related to the original Stoke connection. Would love to know more about Henry/Dr. Horne.

Hi TNhorne, welcome to the forum. This is quite a niche interest but you never know who might turn up. I'd direct you to the Herbert Archive but its online interface is currently out of action and this might last for at least a few months. There are some possibilities at the National Archives here but it is neither as comprehensive as the Coventry archive and the reference numbers can be wrong due to reorganisation but if you find something relevant then the Herbert can hunt out the new reference numbers.