St Mary's Church, Sandbach
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| St Mary's Church, Sandbach | |
  Shown within Cheshire
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| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Sandbach, Cheshire, England |
| Geographic coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Religious affiliation | Anglican |
| District | Diocese of Chester |
| Ecclesiastical status | Parish church |
| Leadership | Revd Rex Buckley, Vicar |
| Website | St Mary's Church, Sandbach |
| Architectural description | |
| Architect(s) | Sir George Gilbert Scott Austin and Paley |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Year completed | 1930 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Red sandstone |
St Mary's Church, Sandbach is in the town of Sandbach, Cheshire, England (grid reference SJ759608). It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
The Domesday Book records the presence of a priest and a church on the site of the present church. This was replaced by another church erected about the time of Henry VII. This church was built in sandstone which became badly weathered. The present church dates largely from the considerable degree of rebuilding by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1847–49. Much of the existing fabric was replaced and the remaining fabric was encased in new stone. The east end of the church was extended by some 40 feet (12 m) and the tower was rebuilt as a copy of the former tower.[2] The builders were Cooper & Son of Derby. The stone, which came from quarries in the Mow Cop area, was given by Sir Philip Grey Egerton M.P.[3] Part of the west end had to be repaired in 1894–95 following a fire. A choir vestry by Austin and Paley was added in 1930.[1]
[edit] Structure
The plan of the church consists of a clerestoried nave and choir of five bays, with aisles, side chapels and a tower at the west end. The choir vestry projects from the northwest. The tower is unusual in that it stands on three open arches through which passes a public footpath. The style is mainly perpendicular and some medieval masonry is still present in the arcades.[1]
[edit] Fittings and furniture
The font dates from 1859; it is made of Caen stone and was constructed by Thomas Stringer.[1] An older octagonal font dated 1669 and decorated with acanthus leaves is used as a flower bowl.[2] Scott arranged the memorials around the walls of the aisles. One of these is a marble relief to the memory of Rev. John Armistead, who was vicar from 1828–65. It was designed by G. F. Watts and sculpted by George Nelson in 1876.[1] Another is to John Ford, who died in 1839, which includes a life-size allegorical female figure by an altar. The roofs are dated 1661. The roof over the north aisle includes a large coat of arms in a wreath. In the chapels and chancels is stained glass by William Wailes and in the north aisle is a window by Kempe.[4] The ring is of eight bells, four of which are dated 1719; it was rehung in 1938. The church plate includes a paten and chalice dated 1656 and a number of items from the early 18th century. The parish registers date from 1562 and are complete. The churchwardens' accounts prior to 1888 are lost.[2]
[edit] External features
The churchyard walls, gateways and railings to south-east and north of the church are listed Grade II.[5]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d e Images of England: Church of St Mary, Sandbach. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2007-10-12.
- ^ a b c Richards, Raymond (1947). Old Cheshire Churches. London: Batsford, 290-293.
- ^ St Mary's Church, Sandbach. St Mary's Church, Sandbach. Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
- ^ Pevsner, Nikolaus; Edward Hubbard [1971] (2003). The Buildings of England: Cheshire. New Haven: Yale University Press, 330–331. ISBN 0 300 09588 0.
- ^ Images of England: Churchyard walls, gateways and railings. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2007-12-01.
