St Michael's Church, Coppenhall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Michael's Church, Coppenhall |
|
---|---|
![]() St Michael's Church, Coppenhall
|
|
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
OS grid reference | SJ 702 566 |
Location | Crewe, Cheshire |
Country | England |
Denomination | Anglican |
Churchmanship | Catholic |
Membership | Society of St Wilfrid and Hilda https://www.sswsh.com/index.php |
Website | St Michael, Coppenhall |
History | |
Status | Parish church |
Founded | c. 1373 |
Dedication | Saint Michael |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Active |
Heritage designation | Grade II |
Designated | 14 June 1984 |
Architect(s) | James Brooks J. Brooks, Son & Adkins |
Architectural type | Church |
Groundbreaking | 1883 |
Completed | 1910 |
Specifications | |
Materials | Red brick with slate roofs Copper-covered flèche |
Administration | |
Parish | Coppenhall |
Deanery | Nantwich |
Archdeaconry | Macclesfield |
Diocese | Chester |
Province | York |
St Michael's Church is a historic church located in Coppenhall, a part of Crewe, Cheshire, England. It is an active Anglican church, meaning it belongs to the Church of England. The church is officially recognized as a Grade II listed building, which means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
History of St Michael's Church
The story of St Michael's Church began a long time ago. Around the year 1373, an older church made of wood was built on this very spot.
The church you see today was built in stages. The first part, called the chancel (the area around the altar), was constructed between 1883 and 1886. It was designed by an architect named James Brooks. Later, from 1907 to 1910, the main part of the church, known as the nave (where the congregation sits), was added. This part was designed by James Brooks's company, J. Brooks, Son and Adkins.
What the Church Looks Like
Outside the Church
St Michael's Church is built with red bricks and has roofs made of slate. The church has a main hall (the nave) with four sections, and a row of windows high up called a clerestory. On either side of the nave are smaller areas called aisles. There are also transepts, which are parts that stick out on the sides, making the church look like a cross.
The chancel is at one end, with a space for the organ on its north side and a small chapel on its south side. Above the point where the nave and transepts meet, there's a copper-covered spire-like structure called a flèche. The church sits on a base of blue bricks and has stone sills and tall, narrow lancet windows.
Inside the Church
When you enter the church, you'll find the baptistery at the west end. This is where baptisms take place. It has a beautiful marble font (a basin for holy water) with a fancy oak cover.
The reredos, which is a decorated screen behind the altar, is painted in the style of an icon (a religious image). The pulpit, where sermons are given, is made of oak. You'll also see alabaster memorials on the walls and wooden Stations of the Cross, which are pictures or carvings showing events from Jesus's final journey.
The church has a large organ with three manuals (keyboards). It was first built around 1900 by Forster and Andrews. It was updated in 1977 and again in 2017 by Sixsmith.
Churchyard Features
Outside the church, in the churchyard, there is a special war grave. It belongs to twin brothers, the Villiers-Russell brothers. They were Senior Sick Berth Attendants in the Royal Navy Auxiliary Reserve. Sadly, they both died in 1915 when their ship, HMS Formidable, was hit by a torpedo during World War I.
See also
- Listed buildings in Crewe