St Alkmund's Church, Whitchurch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Alkmund's Church, Whitchurch |
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St Alkmund's Church, Whitchurch, from the southeast
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| OS grid reference | SJ 541 417 |
| Location | Whitchurch, Shropshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | St Alkmund, Whitchurch |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | Alcmund of Derby |
| Consecrated | 1712 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 1 May 1951 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Neoclassical |
| Groundbreaking | 1712 |
| Completed | 1713 |
| Construction cost | £4,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Sandstone, slate roof |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Whitchurch |
| Deanery | Wem and Whitchurch |
| Archdeaconry | Salop |
| Diocese | Lichfield |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Alkmund's Church is an active Anglican church in Whitchurch, England. People believe this church was started in the 900s by Queen Æthelflæd. She was known as the 'Lady of the Mercians' and was the daughter of Alfred the Great. Some stories say that St. Alkmund, the saint the church is named after, was first buried here. St. Alkmund was the son of King Alhred of Northumbria.
The church is part of the diocese of Lichfield. It is also listed as a Grade I listed building. This means it is a very important historical building. You can find it on a hill in the middle of Whitchurch town.
Contents
Discovering the Church's History
The church, named after Alcmund of Derby, was likely founded in 912. It is thought that Queen Æthelflæd moved St Alkmund's remains to Shrewsbury around this time.
The first written record of a church here is from 1089. This early church was built with white stone. This is how the town of Whitchurch got its name. In 1296, the first church leader, called a rector, was appointed.
Key Events and Burials
In 1403, Sir Henry Percy (Hotspur) was temporarily buried here. He had died in the Battle of Shrewsbury.
Later, in the 15th century, the body of John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury was brought to the church. He had died in the Battle of Castillon in 1453. His heart was buried under the church porch. His bones rest under his statue in the Lady Chapel.
Rebuilding and Changes Over Time
On July 31, 1711, the church's old central tower fell down. This meant the church had to be completely rebuilt. The first stone for the new church was laid on March 27, 1712. The new church was officially opened on October 8, 1712. It was built by William Smith, following designs by John Barker.
The church was repaired and updated between 1877 and 1879. More changes happened in 1885–86. In 1894, the organ was moved to a new spot. It was also largely repaired and rebuilt.
From 1900 to 1902, the inside brick walls were covered with stone. The rounded end part of the church, called the apse, was redecorated. The porch was rebuilt in 1925. In 1972, the side seating areas, called galleries, were removed.
Exploring the Church's Design
Outside the Church
The church is built from red sandstone. Some parts have grey sandstone details. It has a slate roof. The building style is neoclassical. This means it looks like old Greek and Roman buildings.
The church has a long main area called a nave. It has side sections called aisles. There's also a rounded chancel at the east end. A porch is on the south side. The tower is at the west end. The windows are tall and round-arched. They have small glass panes in metal frames. Some original clear glass has been replaced with colorful stained glass.
Above the south porch is a stone railing. You walk up two steps to reach it. A sundial is on the wall above the porch. It has a metal pointer to show the time. The tower has four levels. The top of the tower has a railing with large urn-shaped decorations. These have weather vanes on top. The clock faces on the tower are from 1977. The clock was made by JB Joyce & Co.
Inside the Church
The main area (nave) and side sections (aisles) are separated by arches. These arches are supported by Tuscan columns. At the west end, there is a balcony supported by wooden columns. Below this balcony is a war memorial for men who died in World War I. It has a mosaic of St Michael.
The bottom floor of the tower is used as a changing room for clergy. The Lady Chapel is at the east end of the south aisle. You enter it through a wooden screen. Inside, there is an old communion table with a marble top. The stone screen behind the altar, called a reredos, has carvings. Above it is a painting of the Last Supper.
In the Lady Chapel, you can see the tomb of John Talbot. It has a statue of him praying. High on the east wall is the coat of arms of Queen Anne. In the north aisle, there is another tomb for Sir John Talbot, who started the grammar school. It has a statue of him as a knight.
Under the balcony is a stone font from 1661. It has a wooden cover. There's also a hexagonal table made from part of the old pulpit. On the north aisle wall, you can see two boards with the Ten Commandments. In the nave, there is an old brass chandelier. The altar in the chancel is painted and gilded. The choir seats are from 1885. The wooden eagle lectern and the hexagonal wooden pulpit are from the 19th century.
There is a brass plaque to remember the composer Edward German. Some windows have pieces of old medieval glass. The stained glass in the apse shows the Ascension. It also shows St Peter and St Paul. This glass was made in 1860. Another window in the south aisle has glass from 1868.
The church has a large pipe organ. It was rebuilt in 1894 and updated in 1966. There are eight bells in the tower. Seven were made in 1714 and 1767. The other bell was made in 1842.
Exploring the Churchyard
In the churchyard, there is a stone tomb from 1815 for Ann Loveit. It is a Grade II listed structure. This means it is also historically important. There is also a sundial in the churchyard. It has a vase-shaped column with a circular plate to tell time. This sundial is also a Grade II listed structure. The churchyard also has a war grave for a soldier from World War I.
Notable Burials
Church Leaders (Rectors)
- 1660-1661 - Nicholas Bernard
- 17 -1746 - Hon Henry Egerton
- 1797-1829 - Francis Egerton, 8th Earl of Bridgewater
- 1846-1908 - Revd William Henry Egerton
- 2012- - Canon Judy Hunt
The Church Today
Anglican church services are held at St Alkmund's Church on Sundays and some weekdays.
More to Explore
- Grade I listed churches in Shropshire
- Listed buildings in Whitchurch Urban
