St Michael's Church, Shotwick facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Michael's Church, Shotwick |
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St Michael's Church seen from south-southeast
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| OS grid reference | SJ336717 |
| Location | Shotwick, Cheshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | St Michael's Church Shotwick |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | St Michael |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 1 June 1967 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Norman, Gothic |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | New Red Sandstone Roof of Welsh slate and tiles |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Shotwick |
| Deanery | Wirral South |
| Archdeaconry | Chester |
| Diocese | Chester |
| Province | York |
St Michael's Church is an old and important church in Shotwick, Cheshire, England. It is a Church of England parish church. This means it is a local church for the community. The building is very special, listed as a Grade I building. This is the highest level of protection for historic buildings. It has parts built in the Norman style, which is very old. Most of the church, however, is in the Gothic style. Inside, you can find some very old furniture. Even some things in the churchyard are listed as historic. The church is still used today for services.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
There has been a church here since the time of the Domesday Book. That was a very long time ago, in 1086! The church was mostly rebuilt in the 14th century. Later, it was repaired and updated in 1851 and again in the 1970s. The church records, called parish registers, go all the way back to 1698.
Church Design and Style
Outside the Church
The church is built from a type of stone called New Red Sandstone. The roof over the chancel (the area near the altar) and the porch is made of Welsh slate. The rest of the roof has purple tiles. The south doorway is from the Norman period. It has zigzag patterns, but a later porch hides some of it. This porch has stone benches and special slots on the walls. People used these slots to sharpen knives a long time ago. The tall tower was built around 1500. It is in the Perpendicular Gothic style. The church layout includes the tower at the west end. Then comes the nave, which is the main part where people sit. After that is the chancel. There is also a north aisle, which is like a side hallway. It has a small chapel at its end.
Inside the Church
All the pews, which are the church benches, are "box pews." These are the oldest pews in the Wirral area. Long ago, these pews even had doors that could be locked with keys! In the north aisle, you can see a special pew for the churchwardens. It has a canopy over it and is dated 1709. There is also a tall, three-level pulpit. The rails around the altar are from the late 1600s or early 1700s. The lectern, where readings are given, is from the late 1700s. Many people believe that much of this old wooden furniture was moved here from a church in Chester in 1812. Some of the windows have beautiful stained glass from the 14th century. A large brass chandelier hangs inside, dating from the late 1700s.
The church tower has a set of six bells. Two of these bells are very old. One was made in 1616 and another in 1621. The other four bells, including the smallest one, were made much later in 1938.
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Norman doorway
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Box pews and churchwarden's pew
Things Outside the Church
In the churchyard, you can find several interesting things. The gates, the gateposts, and the churchyard wall along Shotwick Lane are all listed as historic. This means they are protected because they are important. There is also a red sandstone sundial from 1720. It has a tall, rounded base. You can also find old tomb chests for several people. These include James Phillips, John Nevett Bennett, Rev M. Reay and four children, Robert and Martha Ellison, William Briscoe (who died in 1704), and another William Briscoe (who died in 1723). In the northwest part of the churchyard, there are war graves. These are for nine Royal Air Force officers who died in World War I.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Cheshire West and Chester
- Grade I listed churches in Cheshire
- Norman architecture in Cheshire
- Listed buildings in Shotwick
