St Stephen's Church, Moulton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Stephen's Church, Moulton |
|
---|---|
![]() St Stephen's Church, Moulton, from the south
|
|
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
OS grid reference | SJ 655,697 |
Location | Moulton, Cheshire |
Country | England |
Denomination | Anglican |
History | |
Status | Parish church |
Dedication | St Stephen the Martyr |
Consecrated | 16 January 1877 |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Active |
Heritage designation | Grade II |
Designated | 12 March 1986 |
Architect(s) | John Douglas |
Architectural type | Church |
Style | Gothic Revival |
Groundbreaking | 1876 |
Completed | 1877 |
Specifications | |
Materials | Sandstone, slate roof, lead spire |
Administration | |
Parish | St Stephen the Martyr, Moulton |
Deanery | Middlewich |
Archdeaconry | Chester |
Diocese | Chester |
Province | York |
St Stephen's Church is a beautiful old church located in the village of Moulton, Cheshire, England. It's an important building, recognized as a Grade II listed building, which means it's protected because of its special history and architecture. Today, it's an active Anglican parish church, serving the local community.
Contents
History of St Stephen's Church
Moulton village grew bigger because of the salt industry nearby in Winsford. As more people moved to the village, they decided they needed their own church. A famous architect named John Douglas designed St Stephen's Church.
Building the Church
The first stone, called the foundation stone, was laid in 1876. This marked the start of building the church. Just one year later, in 1877, St Stephen's became its own separate parish. This meant it had its own area and community to serve.
Church Opening Day
The church was officially opened and blessed, or consecrated, on January 16, 1877. This special ceremony was led by Dr William Jacobson, who was the Bishop of Chester at the time.
Architecture and Design
St Stephen's Church is built in a style called Gothic Revival. This means it looks like churches from the medieval Gothic period, but it was built much later.
Outside the Church
The outside of the church is made from yellow sandstone. It has special red sandstone details called ashlar dressings. The roof is made of green slate, and the tall, pointed part at the top, called the spire, is covered in lead.
Inside the Church
The church's layout includes a main hall called a nave and a special area near the altar called a chancel. It also has a smaller section on the northeast side called a transept, a room for priests and robes on the southeast called a vestry, and a porch at the southwest entrance.
While the outside is stone, the inside walls are built with two different kinds of brick. You can also see a plain sedilia inside, which is a set of seats for the clergy near the altar.
Stained Glass and Organ
The beautiful stained glass window at the east end of the church was made by J. C. Bewsey. There's also a special "millennium window" created by R. N. Bradley. The church's organ, which makes music for services, was built in 1876 by Henry Bevington and Sons.
Other Buildings Nearby
The vicarage, which is the house where the vicar (a type of priest) lives, is on Jack Lane. It was also designed by the same architect, John Douglas. Like the church, it is also a Grade II listed building.
St Stephen's Church Today
St Stephen's Church is still a very active part of the Moulton community.
Services and Activities
- Regular Anglican services are held every Sunday.
- Special events like baptisms, weddings, and funerals take place in the church.
- The church also organizes fun activities for children and young people.
See also
- Listed buildings in Moulton, Cheshire
- List of new churches by John Douglas