St Chad's Chapel, Tushingham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Chad's Chapel, Tushingham |
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St Chad's Chapel, Tushingham
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| OS grid reference | SJ 526 463 |
| Location | Tushingham, Cheshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Chad |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 1 March 1967 |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Completed | 1691 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Brown brick, slate roof |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Tushingham cum Grindley |
| Diocese | Chester |
| Province | York |
St Chad's Chapel (often called Old St Chad's) is a historic church. It stands alone in the quiet area of Tushingham, Cheshire, England. You can only reach it by walking on paths across fields from the main A41 road. This special chapel is a Grade I listed building. This means it's a very important historical site.
Contents
History of St Chad's Chapel
Records from 1349 mention a chapel on this exact spot. It was a "chapel of ease." This meant it was built to make it easier for people to attend church if the main church was too far away.
In 1621, a document called it Chadwick Chapel. By 1636, another paper referred to it as Chad Chapel. The chapel was rebuilt between 1689 and 1691. It has changed very little since then.
Most of the money for the rebuilding came from John Dod. He was a successful merchant in London. John Dod had been born in Tushingham. The chapel is now called Old St Chad's. This is because a newer St Chad's Church was built in 1863 on the main A41 road.
Architecture and Design
Outside the Chapel
The chapel is built with brown bricks. It has a grey slate roof. At the west end, there is a small tower. An outside staircase leads up to a gallery inside.
The main part of the chapel has three sections. It does not have side aisles. It is set up with a nave (the main seating area) and a chancel (the area near the altar). A small vestry (a room for clergy) sticks out from the south side.
The tower is small and has a pyramid-shaped roof. It has a door on the west side. Above the door is a narrow opening. There is a plain band of stone at the level of the belfry (where the bells are). The bell openings are in pairs with curved tops. A weathercock sits at the very top.
Inside the Chapel
The roof inside is very unusual. The spaces between the main beams are filled with carvings. These carvings create a star-like pattern. All the furniture in the chapel is made from Cheshire oak wood.
The holy table (altar) is from the 17th century. On each side of it are special box pews. These are like small, enclosed seating areas for families. On the wall above the south pew, there are three marble memorials. These honor the Vernon and Murhall families. Above the north pew, there is a marble memorial for the Stephens family.
Above the two east windows, you can see the royal coat of arms of King George III. A low screen separates the chancel from the nave. The seating in the nave is simple. It has plain seats and backs with no decoration. At the west end, there is a gallery. You reach this gallery by using the outside staircase. The font (used for baptisms) is in the Jacobean style. The pulpit (where sermons are given) is a three-decker type.
Other Buildings Nearby
Next to the church, there is a small building. It holds a horse-drawn hearse (a vehicle used to carry coffins). This building is also made of brown brick. It has a pyramid-shaped roof of grey slates. It is dated 1822. This hearse-house is a Grade II listed building.
See also
- Grade I listed churches in Cheshire
- Listed buildings in Tushingham cum Grindley
