Legend has it that where the Church now stands, there once stood a large glacial stone and a Danish or Norse chieftain called Wulf was said to have sacrificed a poor native- Hence Wulf’s Stone.
There was mention of a Church with ten acres in the Domesday Book, of 1086.
The first Rector was John de Ramsholt, July 1st 1308, the church was probably still not finished at this time. (1307 – 1377)
Originally dedicated to “Our Lady” St Mary, but changed to St Michael the Archangel when joined with Erwarton in 1819.
Notable Rectors
Thomas Orger-Rector of Woolverstone 1349 – 1398. He was a survivor of the Black Death in 1349.
1489: John Englysshe (Inglys) , Rector, left money “to roof the chancel”
Timothy Dalton: 1615 – 1636 , suspended and went secretly to New England.
Jonathon Skynner 1636 –1638 villagers petitioned the long parliament for his removal.
Things to notice if you visit.
The timber in the porch is at least 620 years old and there is an original Stoup in the porch
The defaced face in the porch believed to have been damaged by the violent methods of ultra-Protestantism.
The 15th c Font with its cover of carved wood, octagonal and cut panels in its side. Defaced by Cromwell’s men? New lions at the base (1862)
The Piscina & Sedilia in both Chancels
The carved Rood screen in the new Chancel
The fine arch braced timber roof is said to be a copy of the original one and made from the “estate” timber
Further reading.
The English home of Mr Timothy Dalton B.A. (specifically Chapters 10 & 11)
https://history.lanememoriallibrary.org/hampton/biog/dalton/10.htm
(Unfortunately the Lane Memorial Library have a long term issue with the images for the book)
There is a document concerning the history of the church on "A Church Near You" Website (https://www.achurchnearyou.com)
It is also provided below:
https://media.acny.uk/media/venues/page/attachment/2018/09/church_history.pdf