Grade I listed churches in Staffordshire facts for kids

Holy Trinity Church, Eccleshall

Staffordshire is a county in the middle of England, known as the West Midlands. Since 1974, the county has included the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

Imagine a special list for buildings that are super important! In England, some buildings get "listed" status. This means they are really old, beautiful, or have a cool history. It also protects them from being changed or knocked down without permission. The very best ones are called "Grade I listed". Only about 2.5% of all listed buildings are Grade I, meaning they are truly special and sometimes even famous around the world! This article lists all the Grade I churches and chapels in Staffordshire.

Amazing Grade I Churches in Staffordshire

Journey Through Time: Church Styles

Churches have been in Staffordshire since the Anglo-Saxon times, which was a very long time ago! But not many of the Grade I churches still show clear Saxon features. The churches that do have Saxon parts are Holy Cross in Ilam and St Editha in Tamworth.

You'll find more Norman style in churches like All Saints in Alrewas, All Saints in Chebsey, and All Saints in Lapley. Norman buildings often have thick walls and round arches.

Most of the churches on this list are built in the Gothic style. This means they have pointed arches, tall windows, and often fancy stone carvings. Many of these churches were "restored" in the 1800s during the Victorian era. These restorations often added Gothic Revival features, which was a popular style that copied older Gothic designs.

Only one church on the list, St Mary in Ingestre, is in the Neoclassical style. This style looks more like ancient Greek or Roman buildings with columns and grand shapes.

Some churches are much newer! Four of them were built in the 1800s or early 1900s:

• A. W. N. Pugin's St Giles in Cheadle (1841–46)
• G. F. Bodley's Holy Angels in Hoar Cross (1872–76)
• Richard Norman Shaw's All Saints in Leek (1885–87)
• Bodley's St Chad in Burton-on-Trent (1903–10)

Most buildings in Staffordshire are made of stone, but St Margaret in Betley is special because it has a wooden frame inside, even though it's covered in stone.

Staffordshire's Landscape and Building Blocks

The main town in Staffordshire is Stafford, but the biggest city is Stoke-on-Trent. Stoke-on-Trent is famous for making ceramics, which is why that area is called the Potteries. Most of Staffordshire is countryside with farms. The main building materials for these churches come from the local land, mostly sandstone and some limestone.

Grade I Churches in Staffordshire

Name	Location	Photograph	Cool Facts
All Saints	Alrewas		This church has two Norman doorways, which are very old! Parts were added in the 1300s and 1500s, and it was updated in 1891. Inside, you can see a 14th-century wall painting and a font from the 15th century. The pulpit (where the preacher stands) is from 1639.
St Peter	Alstonefield		The oldest parts of this church are a doorway and an arch, both in the Norman style. It was partly rebuilt in the 1200s and 1300s, and then updated many times. Many of the wooden furnishings, like the two-level pulpit and special box pews, are from the Jacobean period (early 1600s). You can also find pieces of carved Anglo-Saxon stones here.
St Margaret	Betley		This church is special because it has a wooden frame inside from around 1500, which was later covered in sandstone. The main hall of the church also has wooden arches. The tower was built in the early 1700s. In 1842, famous architects Scott and Moffatt restored it, adding the wooden upper windows and porches. The pulpit is Jacobean, and the font might be from the 1200s!
St Leonard	Blithfield		Built around 1300, this church had an octagonal (eight-sided) chapel added in 1829–30 as a memorial. The chancel (the area around the altar) was restored by the famous architect A. W. N. Pugin in 1846. Inside, there's a 12th-century basin for washing hands and a 14th-century font. It has the largest collection of 15th-century carved wooden bench ends in the county, which are really cool!
St Bartholomew	Blore		This church likely started in the 1200s but was mostly changed in the early 1500s. It still looks much the same since then. Many parts are in the Perpendicular Gothic style, including the roofs and arches. Inside, you'll find lots of Jacobean furniture from the early 1600s, like benches, the pulpit, and communion rail.
St Mary	Blymhill		The tower, chancel, and south arches are from the 1300s and 1400s. The rest of the church was designed by G. E. Street in the Early English style and built between 1856 and 1859. Most of the church's furniture and decorations were also designed by Street. The beautiful stained glass windows were made by famous artists like Wailes and Hardman.
St Mary and All Saints	Bradley		This church dates from the late 1200s and early 1300s. Some Norman stones are built into the tower. The Lady Chapel was dedicated in 1343. The main part of the church was rebuilt in the early 1500s. In 1902–03, W. D. Caroe restored the church and designed the screen in the chancel. You can also see parts of a 14th-century altar decoration and a Norman font.
St Mary and St Chad	Brewood		The chancel of this church is from the 1200s and has tall, narrow windows. The tower was built in the 1500s in the Perpendicular style. The church was restored in 1878–80 by G. E. Street, who also designed the pulpit. The altar decoration from 1911 was designed by W. D. Caroe. There are also monuments from the 1500s and 1600s.
St Peter	Broughton		St Peter's was built between 1630 and 1640. It has special box pews (enclosed seats) from 1711. The stained glass in the east window is from the 1400s, and there's 17th-century glass with family crests in the chancel. The windows in the south aisle were designed by C. E. Kempe, a famous stained glass artist.
St Chad	Burton upon Trent		This church was designed in 1903 by G. F. Bodley and finished in 1910 by his partner. It was paid for by the wealthy 1st Baron Burton! The church is in the Decorated Gothic style. The tower stands separately from the church and is connected by a walkway.
St Modwen	Burton upon Trent		Built between 1719 and 1726, this church was designed by William and Richard Smith in the grand Palladian style. The inside was updated in 1889. The top of the tower has a fancy railing and urns. Inside, there's a gallery supported by Tuscan columns. The font is from the 1400s.
St Giles	Cheadle		This is a Roman Catholic church built between 1841 and 1846. It was designed by the famous architect A. W. N. Pugin and is very decorated inside and out, with a tall steeple. The inside is painted all over and has patterned floor tiles. Almost everything inside, from the piscina (a basin for washing) to the pulpit, was designed by Pugin himself!
All Saints	Chebsey		This church has Norman parts in its walls, including a doorway. The south arches and the arch to the chancel are from the Early English Gothic period. The west tower, with its eight spires, is in the Perpendicular Gothic style. Some of the windows have stained glass by C. E. Kempe.
St Mary and All Saints	Checkley		The oldest parts of this church are from the 1100s, with a south doorway from around 1300 and a chancel from the late 1200s. It was largely rebuilt in the 1600s. Inside, you'll find a Norman font with a carving of a donkey, a knight's statue from the early 1300s, and some stained glass from the 1300s.
St Andrew	Clifton Campville		The main part of this church is from the early 1200s, but most of it was built in the first half of the 1300s. It has a cross shape with a tall steeple at the west end. The steeple has a spire supported by flying buttresses. Inside, there are stalls with seven carved seats from the 1300s.
Holy Trinity	Eccleshall		Most of this church dates from the 1200s, including the chancel, the arches, and the lower part of the tower. The side aisles were rebuilt in the 1400s. The church was restored by G. E. Street in 1866–69. The piscina and sedilia (seats for clergy) are from the 1200s, as is the font. The altar decoration from 1898 was designed by Basil Champneys. You can also see the tombs of four Bishops of Lichfield here.
St Lawrence	Gnosall		This was once a collegiate church (a church with a college of clergy). It has a cross shape with a tower in the middle. The oldest parts are from the 1100s, with Norman features around the middle tower. The church was changed in the 1200s and 1300s. The south porch was added in 1892. Inside, there's a beautiful statue of a knight from the 1400s.
St Michael and All Angels	Hamstall Ridware		Some Norman parts from the 1100s remain in the west wall. Most of the church is from the 1300s, including the chancel and tower. The north aisle and upper windows were added in the 1400s in the Perpendicular Gothic style. Inside, there's a 14th-century basin for washing hands. The altar decoration has painted panels from the 1400s.
St Mary	High Offley		The oldest parts of this church are from the 1100s, with features from the 1200s still visible. Most of the church is from the 1400s and 1500s in the Perpendicular Gothic style. The roof of the main part of the church is "outstanding" and well-preserved, with carvings of heads and leaves.
Holy Angels	Hoar Cross		Holy Angels Church was built between 1872 and 1876, designed by G. F. Bodley. It was built in memory of Hugo Francis Meynell Ingram by his wife. More chapels were added later. Most of the church's furnishings were also designed by Bodley, and all the stained glass was made by Burlison and Grylls.
Holy Cross	Ilam		Holy Cross started in the 1000s and has a blocked-up Saxon doorway. It was partly rebuilt in the 1200s. A memorial chapel was added in 1831. The church was greatly restored in 1855–56 by George Gilbert Scott. It has a unique tower with a "saddleback roof" (shaped like a saddle). Many of the internal decorations were designed by Scott, including the altar decoration. There's also a Norman font and a piece of carved Saxon stone.
St Mary	Ingestre		Built in 1676, this church might have been designed by the famous architect Christopher Wren. It's made of smooth stone with side aisles and a west tower. The doorway has Tuscan columns and a triangular top. The tower has a fancy railing and four urns. Inside, the arches are supported by Doric columns. All the monuments inside are to the important local families.
All Saints	Kings Bromley		Part of the south wall of the main church area is Norman, with a round-topped window. The chancel and north aisle are from the 1300s in the Decorated Gothic style. The west tower was built in the 1500s. The pulpit is from 1656, and the font from 1664. The screen inside is unusual, with intertwined branches and human heads carved into it.
St Peter	Kinver		This church is mainly from the 1300s, but it includes parts of an even older church. It was made bigger in the 1400s and restored in 1884–85 by George Gilbert Scott and his son. The north aisle was rebuilt in 1976. Inside, the font is from the 1300s, and the pulpit is from 1625.
All Saints	Lapley		All Saints stands where an old Benedictine monastery used to be. It dates from the 1100s, with Norman parts in the lower central tower, the main church area, and the chancel. The chancel was made longer in the 1200s. The upper part of the tower and two windows are in the Perpendicular Gothic style. Inside, there's a small piece of a medieval painting on the wall.
All Saints	Leek		Designed by Richard Norman Shaw, this church was built in 1885–87. It has a central tower with a pyramid-shaped roof. Because of the sloping ground, the changing room is underneath the chancel. Inside, the walls of the chancel were painted by Gerald Horsley. The altar decoration was designed by William Lethaby. Most of the stained glass was made by the famous Morris company.
Lichfield Cathedral	Lichfield		Building of this grand cathedral started in the early 1200s and continued through the 1300s. It was badly damaged during the Civil War in the 1600s, when its spire fell down. It was restored between 1661 and 1669, and many other times since then by famous architects like George Gilbert Scott. The cathedral has a cross shape and three spires, two at the front and one in the middle.
All Saints	Madeley		The oldest parts of this church are from the 1100s, and its north arches are Norman. The church was changed in the 1300s and 1400s. The tower was built around 1400 and has both Decorated and Perpendicular Gothic features. The pulpit is Jacobean, and there are monuments from the early 1500s.
St Nicholas	Mavesyn Ridware		The north aisle is from the 1300s, and the tower from the 1400s, both made of sandstone. The main part of the church was built in 1782 using brick. The aisle was turned into a chapel for the Mavesyn family. In this chapel, you can see monuments to family members, including carved stone slabs and statues of knights from the 1200s and 1300s. The font is Norman.
St John the Baptist	Mayfield		This church dates from the 1100s. It was changed and made bigger in the early 1300s, and the tower was added in 1515. The south arches and the south doorway are Norman. Much of the church is in the Decorated Gothic style, and the west tower is Perpendicular. Inside, the pulpit is from 1514, and some benches are from the 1630s.
St Peter	Norbury		The main part of this church is made of sandstone from the 1300s, mostly in the Decorated Gothic style. The tower, built in 1759, is made of brick in the Georgian style. The church was restored in 1826–29. Inside, you'll find well-preserved medieval roofs and a tomb with a statue from the 1300s.
St Michael and All Angels	Penkridge		This church started as a collegiate church in the 1200s. Parts were added and changed in the 1300s and 1500s. The church was restored in 1881. The font is from 1668. The screen in the chancel is from the Netherlands and was moved here from Cape Town! It's dated 1778. There are also memorials to the Littleton family.
St Mary	Rolleston on Dove		This church started in the 1100s and has two Norman doorways. The south porch was built in the late 1200s, and the west tower around 1300. In 1892, the church was restored by Arthur Blomfield, who added the spire. Some windows have stained glass by C. E. Kempe. There are monuments to important people like Robert Sherborne, who died in 1536.
All Saints	Sandon		All Saints dates from the late 1100s or early 1200s and was mostly rebuilt around 1300. The north aisle was added in the 1300s. In 1851, the north aisle was changed to be the family chapel for the Earls of Harrowby. The church was restored in 1923. Inside, there's a font from 1669. The pulpit with its canopy and family pews are Jacobean. There's also a monument to Sampson Erdeswicke, who died in 1603 and designed it himself!
St Mary	Stafford		St Mary's began as a collegiate church in the early 1200s, and the main church area and side aisles are from that time. The chancel was built later in the 1200s. The upper windows and octagonal tower in the middle are from the 1400s. The tower used to have a spire, but it fell in 1594. In 1841–44, George Gilbert Scott extensively restored the church. Inside, there's a font from around 1200 and monuments from the 1500s.
All Saints	Standon		This church started in the 1100s, and most of the west wall and the main church area are Norman, including the west doorway. The west tower is from the 1300s. In 1846–47, the church was restored by George Gilbert Scott, who likely rebuilt the chancel. Inside, there's an 11th-century font.
St Mary	Swynnerton		St Mary's dates from the 1100s. The chancel was rebuilt and the side aisles were added in the 1200s. In the 1300s, a south chapel was added, and the tower was built. The tower has two Norman doorways. There was a big restoration in the 1800s when the upper windows were added. Inside, there's a large 13th-century statue of Christ and a 14th-century statue of a knight.
St Editha	Tamworth		This church was founded in the 800s! It still has Saxon and Norman features. It was a collegiate church for some time. After a fire in 1345, most of the church was rebuilt in the Decorated Gothic style. Famous architects like George Gilbert Scott restored it in the 1800s. The inside is known for its many memorials from the 1300s.
St Mary	Tutbury		This church started as part of Tutbury Priory and dates from the 1200s. The main church area has many Norman features, including two doorways. The west doorway is especially famous for its carvings of animals and figures. The tower was added in the 1500s. The chancel and its rounded end were built in 1866 by G. E. Street, who also designed many of the internal decorations.
St Andrew	Weston-under-Lizard		Some parts of this church are from the 1300s, and there are some Norman stones in the tower. But most of the church was rebuilt in 1700–01. The tower and main church area were designed by Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham from the nearby Weston Park. The chancel was added in 1876–77. The church was restored in 1869–70 by G. E. Street, who also designed the font. You can see monuments to the Earls of Bradford and their families here.