This is not the first time that St Michael’s has undergone a major refit. The Church was restored in 1837, but it was later described as “impaired by ill-advised restoration”, as many old features were destroyed. It was further remodelled between 1857 and 1858 by well-known Newcastle architect, John Dobson, under the watchful eye of the autocratic Rector, Rev John Grey. The works saw the earlier flat roof replaced with a high-pitched roof, and the recent investigations have revealed that John Dobson reused medieval timbers from the roof.
Copyright © Books of the North 2009.

The worn threshold stone and remains of the south doorway of the early Norman church were discovered, along with extensive evidence of burning. This has given rise to the theory that St Michael’s was set ablaze in 1319 when Black Douglas, or the Guid Sir James, ransacked Houghton on his way to Hartlepool. In Frank H Rushford’s 1950 ‘Houghton-le-Spring: A History’ it was noted that John Sayer, a parishioner, “when fleeing from a party of Scots, climbed to the top of the tower, and in descending slipped and, falling upon the bells, was killed.” It is said locally that the church had to be granted absolution for the shedding of blood on consecrated ground.

At the time of writing [Feb 2008], the reordering works are still well underway but a new chapter in St Michael’s history is on the horizon. We are all very eager to have our church back into full operation.

c1350 – reinforced foundations were installed following the collapse of the central tower.

1604 – St Michael’s Vestry Book recorded: “Mr Docter Hutton the parson there is contented in his devotion to beare the charge of the floringe of the church…and for the bryngynge of bords for loftinge of the lower lofte of the belhouse so sone as may be.”

1606 – It was recorded in St Michael’s Vestry Book that: “…a sesment of a grote of the pound shalbe collect and gathered by the Cunstables of everie towne and hamlet next adjoyninge unto them for the repairing of the Church..”

1657 - St Michael's Vestry Book records that an order was made that any disturbance to the Church floor or seats for the making of a grave must be repaired within fourteen days: "and the rubbish remayning to be cleane carried forth of the Church." The church Sexton, whose many roles included grave digging, was ordered to take up the floor stones with care and to make every grave within the Church at least 1 1/2 yards deep, the equivalent of 4 1/2 feet.

1742 - May 29th – "The church of Houghton-le-Spring, being to be repaired, the churchwardens advertised for joiners, plumbers, and masons, to contract for the same. They were to "meet the churchwardens at the house of John Robson, in Houghton-le-Spring, on Monday the 7th of June next, there to treat about the several works, and they who will undertake to do them substantially and cheapest, will be employed."

1831 - Philip Hardwick, the eminent English architect, made plans for a new roof.

1837 – St Michael’s Church was restored and many old features were removed. The work was later described as “impaired by ill-advised restoration”.
Copyright © Books of the North 2009.

1857 - 1858 – St Michael’s Church was remodelled by well-known Newcastle architect, John Dobson, under the watchful eye of the autocratic Rector, Rev John Grey. The works saw the earlier flat roof replaced with a high-pitched roof.

1859 – February 26th – St Michael’s Church reopened following the restoration work.

October 1886 – Dinning & Cooke from Percy Ironworks, Newcastle, submitted a quote to Rector John Grey for a proposed new heating system for St Michael’s Church.

1973 – Restoration work was carried out at St Michaels Church on the east, south, and north transepts, costing £16,000.

1999 – A line of large whinstone boulders were found in St Michael’s Churchyard during drainage works for the new canteen at the back of the Church, giving support to the thought that the building was once part of a prehistoric burial cairn, stone circle or ritual site.

2007 - Plans were put in motion by the then incumbent, Rev Ian Wallis, for the reordering of the interior of the ancient St Michael & All Angels Church. The community project was called the Next Nine Hundred campaign.

2008 – January – Work got underway on the Next Nine Hundred campaign. The Victorian pews were removed and the floor was excavated. Copyright © Books of the North 2009.

2010 - July – Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, visited St Michael & All Angels Church on Monday July 26th 2010 and viewed the reordered interior and Heritage Centre. He spent time talking with clergy, parishioners and diocesan archaeologist Peter Ryder.

2010 – September – The exterior of the west transept was cloaked in scaffolding as damaged stonework was replaced. The repairs were made in time for Houghton Feast.