St Mary's Church, Bruera facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Bruera |
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St Mary's Church, Bruera
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| OS grid reference | SJ 437 605 |
| Location | Bruera, Cheshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 1 August 1967 |
| Architect(s) | W. M. Boden |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Norman, Gothic |
| Completed | 1896 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Red sandstone, Slate roof |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Bruera |
| Deanery | Malpas |
| Archdeaconry | Chester |
| Diocese | Chester |
| Province | York |
St Mary's Church is a very old and beautiful church located in a small place called Bruera, in Cheshire, England. It sits between the villages of Saighton and Aldford. This church is so special that it's officially protected as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's an important historical site!
The church has parts that are from the Norman period, which was a very long time ago. Over the years, it has been changed and fixed up, especially in 1896. Today, it's still a busy Anglican parish church. It belongs to the diocese of Chester and works together with churches in Waverton and Aldford.
Contents
History of St Mary's Church
The village of Bruera isn't mentioned in the famous Domesday Book, which was a big survey of England made in 1086. The first time we hear about St Mary's Church is around 1150. Back then, it was a small chapel connected to St Oswald's Church in Chester.
Some people think the church might have been around even during Saxon times, but this is debated. Most of the church we see today was built during the Norman period. Since then, many parts have been added or restored. For example, the south doorway was rebuilt in the 1300s. Windows were also changed in the 1300s and later. In the 1400s, a small chapel was added on the south side.
A big restoration happened in 1896. This work was paid for by the 1st Duke of Westminster. During this time, the south porch and vestry were worked on, and a belfry (where bells are kept) was added.
Church Architecture and Design
Outside the Church
St Mary's Church is built from red sandstone, and its roof is made of slate. At the west end, there's a wooden belfry with louvred openings. It has a low, square spire covered in shingles.
The church has a main area called the nave (where people sit) and a chancel (near the altar). It doesn't have aisles on the sides. On the south side, you'll find a porch, a chapel, and a vestry (a room for the clergy). The arch leading to the chancel is mostly Norman, but it has been changed over time. The south doorway still has some original Norman stone blocks, called voussoirs. Four of these blocks have cool carvings on them!
Inside the Church
When you go inside, you'll see the altar table and chancel gates. These are from the 1700s. The chairs in the sanctuary (the area around the altar) are from the Jacobean period, which was in the 1600s. On the south wall, there's a display of the royal coat of arms of King Charles II.
The font, used for baptisms, is made of stone. It probably dates back to the 1600s. The stained glass in the north window, from 1897, is in the beautiful Arts and Crafts style.
The chapel inside the church has memorials on the walls. These remember Sir Robert Cunliffe (who died in 1778) and Sir Ellis Cunliffe (who died in 1767). Both memorials feature small, winged figures called putti. The organ, which has two manuals (keyboards), was built in 1869. The church's parish registers, which record births, deaths, and marriages, go all the way back to 1657!
Outside the Church Grounds
In the churchyard, you can find some very old yew trees. There are also the remains of an old stone cross. This cross has been turned into a sundial. The base of the sundial is dated 1693, and the top part is from 1736. This sundial is so old and important that it's protected as a scheduled ancient monument.
The churchyard also has war graves. These are for a soldier and an airman who died during World War II.
More to Explore
- Grade II* listed buildings in Cheshire West and Chester
- Norman architecture in Cheshire
- Listed buildings in Saighton
