St Peter's Church, Waverton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Peter's Church, Waverton |
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St Peter's Church, Waverton
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| OS grid reference | SJ 462,633 |
| Location | Waverton, Cheshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | St Peter's Church, Waverton |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | St Peter |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 1 March 1967 |
| Architect(s) | John Douglas |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic, Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1888 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Ashlar red sandstone Lakeland green slate roof |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Waverton with Aldford and Bruera |
| Deanery | Malpas |
| Archdeaconry | Chester |
| Diocese | Chester |
| Province | York |
St Peter's Church is a beautiful old church in the village of Waverton, Cheshire, England. It's a very special building, protected as a Grade II* listed building because of its history and design. It's an active Anglican parish church, meaning it's a place of worship for the local community. It works closely with two other churches nearby: St John's in Aldford and St Mary's in Bruera.
Contents
Church History
People have worshipped at this spot for a very long time! The first records of a church here go all the way back to 1093, which is over 900 years ago. Later, in 1640, a new chapel was added to the north side of the church.
In the 1800s, the church got some big updates. It was restored in 1845, and then again in 1888 by a famous architect named John Douglas. During these updates, parts of the church were rebuilt, and a special pyramid-shaped roof was added to the tower.
Church Design
St Peter's Church is built from red sandstone found in Waverton. Its roof is made of green slate from the Lake District.
Outside the Church
The church has a large tower on its west side. It also has a main area called the nave, a smaller area called the chancel, and two side sections called aisles. The tower is quite tall and has a big window from 1888. Above that, you can see square openings and a fancy top edge called a parapet. The tower's roof is shaped like a pyramid.
Near the main entrance on the west side, there's a doorway in the Tudor style. Inside this porch, you might spot an old statue of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus.
Inside the Church
When you step inside, you'll see that the roofs of the nave and aisles are very old, dating back to 1635. The font, which is used for baptisms, is also from the 1600s and has eight sides.
The walls of the chancel (the area near the altar) are made of wood. They might be from the Middle Ages or a later copy of the original design. You'll find memorials inside the church that remember past rectors (church leaders) and members of the Dutton family.
The east window has three sections and is in the Perpendicular style. The pulpit, where sermons are given, was added in 1903. It's a special memorial to the first Duke of Westminster.
In the tower, there are the royal arms of King Charles II, painted in 1663. The church also has a set of eight bells. Some of these bells are very old, from 1615! Others were added in 1908 and 2008. The church's records, like parish registers (which list births, marriages, and deaths), go back to 1582.
Churchyard Features
Around the church, the gates, gateposts, and churchyard walls are also considered special and are protected. In the churchyard, there's an old red sandstone sundial from 1731, which is also a protected historical item. You'll also find war graves for two soldiers from World War I and an airman from World War II in the churchyard.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Cheshire West and Chester
- Listed buildings in Waverton, Cheshire
- List of church restorations, amendments and furniture by John Douglas
