St James' and St Paul's Church, Marton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St James' and St Paul's Church, Marton |
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St James' and St Paul's Church, Marton, from the south
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| OS grid reference | SJ 849 680 |
| Location | Marton, Cheshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Marton, St James and St Paul |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 14 April 1967 |
| Architect(s) | J. M. Derick, William Butterfield |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Timber framing, rendered brick infill, slate roof |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Marton |
| Deanery | Congleton |
| Archdeaconry | Macclesfield |
| Diocese | Chester |
| Province | York |
The Church of St James and St Paul is located near the village of Marton, in Cheshire, England. It is a very important and old building. This church is listed as a Grade I building. This means it is a historic place that is protected because it is so special.
Unlike most churches, this one is built mostly from wood. It is one of the oldest timber-framed churches in all of Europe! Only a few churches like it are still standing in England. Some other examples are in places like Lower Peover and Baddiley in Cheshire. The church is also featured in the novel Strandloper by Alan Garner.
Contents
A Look Back in Time: Church History
This church was started in 1343 by Sir John de Davenport and his son Vivian. They also gave land for the church in 1370. The tall belfry, where the bells are kept, was added later around 1540. The church roof was made lower in 1804.
Some repairs were done in 1850 by J. M. Derick. More work was done in 1871 by William Butterfield. He made some of the wooden parts in the tower look neater. The main entrance at the west end of the church was also added at this time. More repairs happened in 1930–31. This included fixing some walls and the roof. A brick part was added to the chancel (the area around the altar) in the 20th century.
Church Design: What It Looks Like
Outside the Church
The church's wooden frame has many upright timbers close together. It sits on a stone base. The spaces between the timbers are filled with brick covered in a smooth finish, and the roof is made of slate. At the west end, there is a square tower covered in wooden tiles. On top of the tower is a pointed roof called a broach spire, with a weather cock (a metal rooster) at the very top.
The tower has an arched door from the 20th century. This door has old metal hinges from the 1600s. The main part of the church has a nave (the central area) with aisles (side passages) on the north and south. There is also a chancel and small chapels at the ends of the aisles. A porch is on the south side. One expert said the outside looks "disappointing" because of changes made in the 1800s. However, they noted that the inside has "a great deal of character and interest."
Inside the Church
Inside, the large wooden posts that hold up the roof are shaped like octagons. In the belfry, there are two old stone statues from the 1300s. These statues are of knights. Their heads rest on the Davenport family symbol, so they might be statues of the church's founders, John and Vivian de Davenport.
The pulpit (where the priest gives sermons) has a coat of arms and was made in 1620. There are three old bells still working. The oldest one says 'God Save the Queen and Realme 1598'. Other interesting items include an old wooden box from the time of Queen Elizabeth I. There is also an old handmade wooden ladder that leads up to the bell-ringing area. The organ was built in 1894. The church has six bells in total, with three dated 1598, 1663, and 1758. The church's official records, called parish registers, started in 1563.
Some old paintings were found on the west wall in 1930. They were hidden under plaster. These paintings are from the Middle Ages and likely show the Last Judgement. This was a common scene in old church paintings. The painting is split into sections by the wooden frame. A figure with a halo and long yellow hair might be Christ. A kneeling woman with a halo opposite him could be the Virgin Mary. At the bottom, some figures with raised hands might be souls being judged. Other figures carry items that could be related to the Passion (events leading to Jesus's crucifixion). The church also has an 18th-century oil painting by Edward Penney showing Moses and Aaron holding the Ten Commandments.
Outside the Church Grounds
In the churchyard, there is an old stone cross from the 1300s or 1400s. It has been repaired over time and is also a protected historic item. The churchyard is also the resting place for two soldiers who died in World War I.
More to Explore
- Grade I listed buildings in Cheshire East
- Grade I listed churches in Cheshire
- Listed buildings in Marton, Cheshire
