St Mary's Church, Weaverham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Ecumenical Church, Weaverham |
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St Mary's Church, Weaverham, from the west
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| OS grid reference | SJ 616,743 |
| Location | Weaverham, Cheshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | [Anglican / Methodist LEP] |
| Website | http://www.stmarysweaverham.org |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 3 January 1967 |
| Architect(s) | Anthony Salvin, John Douglas (restorations) |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic, Gothic Revival |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Red sandstone Welsh slate roof |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Weaverham |
| Deanery | Middlewich |
| Archdeaconry | Archdeaconry of Chester |
| Diocese | Diocese of Chester |
| Province | Province of York |
St Mary's Ecumenical Church is a special church in the village of Weaverham, Cheshire, England. It's a joint project between the Church of England and the Methodist church. This means people from both churches worship and work together here!
The church serves the local communities of Weaverham and Acton Bridge. It aims to share the message of Jesus with everyone. The building itself is very old and important. It is listed as a Grade I building on the National Heritage List for England. This means it's considered a building of great historical interest. It's an active Anglican parish church within the Diocese of Chester.
Contents
History of the Church
A church has stood on this spot since the time of the Norman conquest in 1066. Imagine how much history has happened here!
Later, in the 13th century, King Edward I gave the right to choose the vicar (a type of priest) to a place called Vale Royal Abbey. After the king Henry VIII closed down the monasteries in the 1500s, this right was given to the Bishop of Chester.
The tall west tower of the church was built in the mid-1400s. The rest of the church building was built in the 1500s. Over the years, the church has been repaired and updated. Major repairs, called Victorian restorations, happened in 1855 by Anthony Salvin and in 1877 by John Douglas. During these updates, the porch and a room for the clergy (called a vestry) were added.
What the Church Looks Like
Outside the Church
The church is built from red sandstone blocks, which gives it a warm, strong look. Its roof is made of Welsh slate. The church has a tower at the west end. From there, you enter the main part of the church, which is called the nave. The chancel is the area near the altar.
The church also has side sections called aisles. These aisles end in special areas called chapels. The church is actually a bit wider at the front (west end) than at the back (east end). The chapel on the south side is called the Wilbraham Chapel, and the one on the north side is the Heath Chapel.
Inside the Church
Both the Wilbraham and Heath chapels have memorials to important local families. You can also see old wooden screens in both chapels, which were made in 1636. In the chancel, there's a beautiful chandelier from the 1700s.
The font, where baptisms take place, is shaped like an octagon. It has a fancy wooden cover from the Jacobean period (early 1600s). The wooden panels in the chancel have a special design called "linenfold" carving, which looks like folded linen fabric.
The altar table is very special. It was made by a famous furniture maker named Chippendale. It has curved legs and feet shaped like claws! The altar rails, which were originally in the church, were moved for a while but are now back in their proper place.
You can also see an old wooden chest from the early Georgian period (early 1700s). The chairs in the sanctuary (the area around the altar) are from the William and Mary period (late 1600s).
There's a special bench called the sidesmen's pew. It was made using wood from an even older pulpit (a raised platform where sermons are given) that was built in 1774.
One of the stained glass windows in the church was given by the architect John Douglas. He gave it to remember his parents and sisters. The church also has a large organ with two keyboards, built in 1951.
The church has a set of six bells in its tower. Two of these bells were made in 1718, two in 1796, and the last two in 1875. Imagine the sound they make! The church has kept records of its baptisms, weddings, and funerals (called parish registers) since 1576. They also have records of the church's money (called churchwardens' accounts) from 1630.
Outside the Church Grounds
In the churchyard, you can find small pieces of an old Roman road. It's amazing to think that Romans walked here centuries ago! The churchyard is also the resting place for nineteen soldiers from the Commonwealth who died in the First World War and Second World War.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Cheshire West and Chester
- Grade I listed churches in Cheshire
- Listed buildings in Weaverham
- List of church restorations, amendments and furniture by John Douglas
- List of church restorations and alterations by Anthony Salvin
