Family Burial Vaults In Churches

13 May 2024
Updated 18 May 2024

In relation to the “pop-book” about Rennes-le-Château published recently, it should be noted that Family Burial Vaults, in both Roman Catholic and Protestant contexts, are anything but “unusual”. Literature on the subject matter is rather sparse, but I found this link. (Archaeology and Burial Vaults, A Guidance Note For Churches. Note 2)

The only connection between Rennes-le-Château and Shugborough Hall exists in the popular imagination. But hereby are some photographs of the Burial Vault of the Anson Family, found beneath the Colwich Church of St Michael & All The Angels, Staffordshire. I was granted special permission by the Churchwardens who in turn had to ask Lord Lichfield for his seal of approval (who himself now lies buried in the Church Vault).

1. Parish Church of St Michael & All The Angels, Colwich, where members of the Anson Family are interred. Dating from around AD 800, originally consecrated to St Chad. It's unknown when the church was re-consecrated. (11.08.1984)

2. Secret entrance to the Anson Family Burial Vault behind one of the choir stalls in the Colwich Parish Church of St Michael & All The Angels. Discovered by accident while renovating the church.

3. Family burial vault beneath the Church of St Michael & All The Angels, Colwich.

4. “Seed Sown By God To Ripen For The Day of Harvest” (Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock, “Der Messias. Ein Heldengedicht”, 1749 (The Messiah. A Heroic Poem).

5. Members of The Rennes Group Examining The Shepherds' Monument.

6. The Shepherds' Monument undergoing restoration. (31 July 1984)

7. Henry Lincoln at the inaugural Saunière Society Meeting, held at The Theosophical Society, London. (6 December 1992)

Note: Photos 1-6 by Paul Smith except 7, by Val Martin




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