St Mark's Church, Antrobus facts for kids

St Mark's Church is a beautiful old church located in Antrobus, a village in Cheshire, England. It's an active Anglican parish church, meaning it's part of the Church of England. The church shares its vicar (a type of priest) with another nearby church, St Mary and All Saints Church, Great Budworth. St Mark's is considered a special historical building. It is listed as Grade II, which means it's important and protected. It also received money from a special fund to help build churches a long time ago.

History of St Mark's Church

St Mark's Church was designed by a famous architect named George Gilbert Scott. It was built between 1847 and 1848. The church cost about £1,550 to build back then. This would be a lot more money today! The Church Building Commission also gave £80 to help with the construction. This commission helped build many new churches across England.

What the Church Looks Like

The church is built from red sandstone, and its roof is made of slate. It was designed in a style called Decorated Gothic, which was popular for churches.

Parts of the Church Building

The church has a main area called the nave. There is also a south porch where people enter. At the front of the church is the chancel, which is where the altar is. On the north side, there is a small room called a vestry. This room is often used by the clergy to prepare for services.

Special Features

On the roof of the church, there is a small tower called a bellcote. It holds a bell and has a weathervane on top. Along the sides of the church, you can see different types of windows. There are two-light windows, which means they have two sections. There is also a lancet window, which is a tall, narrow window with a pointed top.

The east window, at the very front of the church, has three sections. The west window, at the back, has two sections. On the south side, there is a wide buttress, which is a strong support built into the wall. This buttress also has a special door for the priest. The porch at the entrance is made of timber (wood).

Inside the church, there is a screen designed by George Gilbert Scott. Part of this screen is made of wood, and part is made of iron. You can also see beautiful stained glass in the windows of the chancel and on the south wall of the nave.

Outside the Church

In the churchyard, which is the area around the church, there is a special grave. It belongs to a soldier from the First World War who was part of the Cheshire Regiment. This is a place to remember his service.

More to Explore

• Listed buildings in Antrobus
• List of new churches by George Gilbert Scott in Northern England
• List of Commissioners' churches in Northeast and Northwest England