All Saints Church, Handley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids All Saints Church, Handley
All Saints Church, Handley, from the south
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OS grid reference	SJ 466,579
Location	Handley, Cheshire
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Website	All Saints, Handley
History
Status	Parish church
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	1 March 1967
Architect(s)	James Harrison
Architectural type	Church
Style	Gothic, Gothic Revival
Completed	1891
Specifications
Materials	Red sandstone, Welsh slate roof
Administration
Parish	Handley
Deanery	Malpas
Archdeaconry	Chester
Diocese	Chester
Province	York

All Saints Church is a historic church located just north of the village of Handley in Cheshire, England. It's a very special building, officially recognized as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's an important and protected piece of history. The church is an active Anglican parish church, serving its local community. It is part of the diocese of Chester.

Church History: A Look Back

People have worshipped at this spot for a very long time! A church has stood here since the 12th century (that's over 800 years ago!).

Building Changes Over Time

In 1854, the church went through a big "restoration" (a major repair and update). An architect named James Harrison led this work. During this time, almost all the old stone parts were replaced. However, the tall west tower, which was built way back in 1512, was kept.

Sadly, a very old doorway from the Norman period (around 1066-1189) on the north side was lost during these changes. But a special hammerbeam roof from 1661 was saved. Later, in 1891, a chancel (the area around the altar) and a vestry (a room for clergy) were added.

Church Design: Inside and Out

Outside the Church

All Saints Church is built from red sandstone that has been cut into smooth blocks called ashlar. Its roof is made of Welsh slate. The church has a tall west tower, a main area called the nave (which has three sections or "bays"), a chancel, a vestry, and a south porch.

The tower has three levels and strong corner supports called buttresses. You can see a message carved on its south wall that says it was built in 1512. There's a door on the west side, and above it is a window with three sections. On each side of this window, there are empty spaces called niches where statues might have once stood.

The windows at the top of the tower (called belfry windows) also have three sections. The very top of the tower has a decorative, castle-like edge called embattled. You can also spot gargoyles, which are carved stone figures that act as water spouts. A decorative stone band (called a string course) around the tower also features carved heads.

Inside the Church

The nave has a beautiful hammerbeam roof. This type of roof has strong wooden beams that look like they're floating. It also features "excellent scrolled carved corbels," which are decorative supports that stick out from the walls.

On the north side of the church, there's a lovely stained glass window made by an artist named William Wailes. The church's font (where baptisms take place) is from the 17th century. It's made of red sandstone and has eight sides. The old wooden chest where church records were kept is dated 1677.

Church Bells

The church has a ring of bells with six bells in total. The three oldest bells are from around 1512, 1615, and 1682. Another bell from 1709 was made by a famous bell founder called Rudhall of Gloucester. The last two bells were cast in 1906 by John Taylor and Company.

The church has kept very old records! The parish registers, which list baptisms, weddings, and burials, start from 1570. The accounts from the churchwardens (people who manage the church's money) begin in 1710.

See also

• Listed buildings in Handley, Cheshire
• List of works by James Harrison