St Alban's Church, Tattenhall facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Alban's Church, Tattenhall
St Alban's Church, Tattenhall, from the south
OS grid reference	SJ 486,585
Location	Tattenhall, Cheshire
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Website	Tattenhall, St Alban
History
Status	Parish church
Dedication	Saint Alban
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	1 March 1967
Architect(s)	John Douglas
Architectural type	Church
Style	Gothic Revival
Specifications
Materials	Ashlar red sandstone Green slate roof
Administration
Parish	Tattenhall
Deanery	Malpas
Archdeaconry	Chester
Diocese	Chester
Province	York
Clergy
Rector	Revd Lameck Mutete

St Alban's Church is in the village of Tattenhall, Cheshire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester and the deanery of Malpas. Its benefice is combined with that of All Saints, Handley. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building.

History

It is thought that a church may have existed on this site at the time of the Norman conquest. The tower and parts of the present church date from the early 16th century. The church was restored and largely remodelled in 1869–70 by John Douglas. During this time the remains of an earlier church which had been destroyed by fire were discovered. Also discovered were a skeleton of a large man outside the north wall and a coffin containing bones under the floor of the church.

Architecture

Exterior

The church is constructed of ashlar red sandstone and it has a green slate roof. The plan consists of a four-bay nave, five-bay north and south aisles, a two-bay chancel, a three-stage west tower and a south porch. The tower has a west door above which is a three-light window. On either side of this are square tablets which are carved with shields and initials, the significance of which is not known. The belfry windows are of three lights above which is a string course with gargoyles. The top is embattled. The south porch, which was dated 1672, was replaced in 1893 by one of timber and plaster.

Interior

In the church is a brass chandelier dated 1755. On the south wall of the chancel is a stained glass window which contains some medieval glass and depicts images of St Alban and St Stephen, and the coat of arms of the Touchet family. In the south aisle is a window by Kempe dated 1896. The stained glass in the east window is by Hardman and dates from about 1870. The glass from a similar date in the west window is by Lavers and Westlake. There is a ring of six bells. Three of these are by Henry Oldfield II and dated 1596, two are by Gabriel Smith and dated 1710, and the other bell dated 1904 is by John Taylor and Company. The parish registers begin in 1654 and the churchwardens' accounts are from 1764.

External features

Sundial in churchyard

In the churchyard is a sundial of ashlar buff sandstone dating from the 18th century which was restored in the 20th century. It is listed at Grade II. The churchyard also contains the war graves of a soldier of World War I, and two of World War II.