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St Mary's Church, Astbury

Although the Domesday survey of 1086 records the presence of a priest at Astbury, there is no mention of a church. But later discoveries of the evidence of Saxon artefacts- the lower stages of a cross, coffin lids and fragments of stone with apparent Saxon decorations carved into them, all of which suggest the existence of an earlier church on the site of the present one. The earliest piece of St Mary’s Church is a round-arched doorway that has been dated from the mid-12th century by architectural historian Professor Andor Gomme, he also states that the church then would have been a mainly timber-framed, rectangular, building. Gomme goes on to suggest that in the middle of the 13th century the east end of the church would have been rebuilt in stone, with a chancel and sanctuary. Subsequently the rest of the body of the church was built, consisting of the nave and north and south aisles; with the work being completed during the 14th century. The tower was built towards the end of the 13th century to the north of the west bay of the north aisle, separated from it by a distance of 6 feet (1.8 m) instead of at the usual position at the west end of the nave. Some major rebuilding work was carried out in the latter part of the 15th century and possibly being completed around 1525, although the north nave may not have been finished until the early 17th century. During the civil war, while nearby Biddulph Hall was under siege; Sir William Brereton's Roundheads stabled their horses in the church and they damaged the medieval glass windows and removed some of the church furniture, including the organ. Although there have been very few significant changes since then George Gilbert Scott, a Victorian architect known for his work on churches, restored St Mary’s in about 1857. He removed plaster from the walls, revealing some medieval paintings, and added a small gallery. The reredos and most of the stained glass were also added during the Victorian era. The church was designated a Grade I listed building on 14 February 1967 by English Heritage. Today St Mary’s Church, occupying an elevated position above the village of Astbury, is an active Anglican parish church in the Diocese of Chester, the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield and the Deanery of Congleton. The church holds traditional Anglican services and activities for younger people on Sundays. It also runs a Prayer Group, a Toddler Group, and groups for other young people.
For further information see the church’s website at LinkExternal link . For a more detailed history of St Mary’s see Professor Andor Gomme’s description at LinkExternal link .
by Jonathan Kington

Created: Sat, 16 Apr 2011, Updated: Sat, 16 Apr 2011


9 images use this description:

SJ8461 : North gate by Jonathan Kington
SJ8461 : Needing some support by Jonathan Kington
SJ8461 : Trunk of the old Yew by Jonathan Kington
SJ8461 : Ancient Yew tree by Jonathan Kington
SJ8461 : Astbury churchyard by Stephen Craven
SJ8461 : A hollow yew by Stephen Craven
SJ8461 : Astbury church in the fog by Stephen Craven
SJ8461 : I'll support yew by Stephen Craven
SJ8461 : Spire of St Mary's church, Astbury by Stephen Craven


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