St Oswald's Church, Winwick
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| St Oswald's Church, Winwick | |
St Oswald's Church, Winwick |
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  Shown within Cheshire
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| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Winwick, Cheshire, England |
| Geographic coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Religious affiliation | Anglican |
| Ecclesiastical status | Parish church |
| Website | www.stoswaldwinwick.com |
| Architectural description | |
| Architect(s) | Pugin |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Gothic, Gothic Revival |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Sandstone |
St Oswald's Church, Winwick is in the village of Winwick to the north of Warrington, Cheshire, England (grid reference SJ604928). It is a Grade I listed building.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
A church at Winwick is recorded in the Domesday Book.[2] The earliest parts of the present church are the bases of the north arcade which date from the early 13th century and the walls of the Legh Chapel and the organ chamber which are dated 1330. The west tower was built in 1358 and the walls and north arcade of the nave (except for the Legh Chapel and the organ chamber) date from 1580. The south porch was added in 1720 and the south arcade of the nave was rebuilt in 1836 reusing earlier stones. The chancel, sanctuary and vestry were rebuilt by Pugin in 1847–49 for the 13th Earl of Derby.[1] Much damage was done to the church in 1648 when Oliver Cromwell stationed his troops in the church after the Battle of Red Bank.[2]
[edit] Structure
The church is built of sandstone with a metal, probably lead, roof. Its plan consists of a west tower, a nave of 6 bays with a clerestory, north and south aisles, a south porch, a chapel in the east bay of each aisle, a chancel and sanctuary of three bays, and a north vestry.[1] The south chapel is the Legh Chapel and the north chapel belonged to the Gerard family.[3] The tower is in three stages and has a recessed spire. On the west face is a door above which is a three-light window. On each side of the window are niches containing restored statues of Saints Anthony and Oswald. To the right of St Anthony is a carved pig. On the west and east sides are clock faces. Above these are two-light belfry windows; the parapet is crenellated. The parapet of the north aisle is plain, that of the south aisle is crenellated. On the west gable of the chancel is a bellcote.[1]
[edit] Fittings and furniture
The nave and aisles have camber beam panelled oak roofs dated 1711. The Legh Chapel has a 16th century panelled roof. In the Legh Chapel is a brass to Sir Peter Legh dated 1527. Also in the chapel are monuments to other members of the Legh family, including one to Mrs Ellen Legh who died in 1831 by R J Wyatt. In the Gerrard Chapel is a damaged font dating from around 1400 and a brass to Peter Gerard who died in 1495.[1] Beneath the floor of this chapel is the family vault but this has not been used since the Reformation. At the east end is a communion table dated 1725. On the north wall is an aumbry.[2] On a window-ledge in the Gerard Chapel is the cross-arm of an Anglo-Saxon preaching cross dating from around 750.[2][4][5]The pews, furnishings and glass in the chancel and sanctuary were designed by Pugin.[1] The timber screen between the nave and the tower was erected in 1920 as a First World War memorial. The ring is of six bells.[2]
[edit] St Oswald's Well
About 1 mile (2 km) to the north of the church in a field alongside the A573 road between Winwick and Golborne is a holy well dedicated to St Oswald (grid reference SJ607941).[2] It is lined with medieval stonework and is covered by a protective stone slab.[6]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d e f Images of England, accessed 6 August 2007
- ^ a b c d e f History. St Oswald, Winwick. Retrieved on 2007-12-12.
- ^ Lancashire Churches, accessed 6 August 2007
- ^ St Oswald (Winwick). The Megalithic Portal. Retrieved on 2007-12-12.
- ^ Tolley, Christopher J. (1996-2003). Winwick (Warrington): Crossing the Millennia. Christopher J. Tolley. Retrieved on 2007-12-12.
- ^ St Oswald's Well (Winwick). The Megalithic Portal. Retrieved on 2007-12-13.
