Church of St Mary the Virgin, Wistaston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Mary the Virgin, Wistaston |
|
|---|---|
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Wistaston,
from the southwest |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| OS grid reference | SJ 682 536 |
| Location | Wistaston, Cheshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Website[1] |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | Virgin Mary |
| Consecrated | 1828 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 12 January 1967 |
| Architect(s) | George Latham |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Georgian |
| Completed | 1905 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Brick with slate roof |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Wistaston |
| Deanery | Nantwich |
| Archdeaconry | Macclesfield |
| Diocese | Chester |
| Province | York |
The Church of St Mary the Virgin is a historic church located in the village of Wistaston, Cheshire, England. It's a special building, officially recognized as a Grade II listed building. This means it's important and protected. The church is an active Anglican parish church, serving the local community as part of the diocese of Chester.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
People believe there has been a church here for almost 700 years! The first church leader, called a rector, was recorded way back in 1379. The very first church on this spot was likely made of wood.
By 1827, the old church was in bad shape. It was decided that a new church was needed. The current church was built in 1827 and 1828. It was designed by an architect named George Latham. Later, in 1884, the chancel (the area around the altar) was made longer. Also, a transept (a part of the church that sticks out, making it look like a cross) was added. More changes were made to the church in 1905.
Architecture and Design
Outside the Church
The church is built using bricks and has a roof made of slate. It has a tower at the west end, a main area called the nave, and a chancel. A famous architectural expert, Nikolaus Pevsner, said the church looks "entirely Georgian" in style. This means it has a classic, balanced look from the Georgian period. Even the parts added in 1884 kept this same style.
Inside the Church
The chancel area has beautiful oak wood panels. These panels are carved with designs of sunflowers. Behind the altar, there's a special screen called a reredos. It shows symbols like the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) and Alpha and Omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, representing God).
One of the windows in the chancel was designed by Burne-Jones. It was made by a famous company called Morris and Company. Inside the church, you can also find an old wooden chest from 1684. There are also several memorials on the walls from the 1800s.
The church has an organ with two manuals (keyboards). It was built in 1884 by a company called Hill. In 1890, the organ was moved from the west gallery to the south side of the chancel. The church also has a ring of eight bells. Six of these bells were made in 1920 by Gillett & Johnston. The other two were made more recently, in 1982, by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry.
Churchyard Features
The churchyard is the area around the church. It holds the graves of soldiers and an airman who died in World War I. There are also graves for three soldiers from World War II. The local war memorial, which remembers people from the area who died in wars, is also located here.
See also
- Listed buildings in Wistaston
