Building record 1746/1/1 - Church of All Saints

<1> Richards R, 1947, Old Cheshire Churches, p.180 (Book). SCH2309.

Harthill is not mentioned in Domesday, but certainly formed part of original barony of Malpas. The first reference to a place of worship dates from 1280 when it was called the 'chapel of Harthill'. A reference to medieval church occurs in 1361 in a bequest to the ‘parson of Harthull’. There is no direct structural evidence for the original church or chapel (which was probably timber), though the sandstone of the north wall appears to be much older and may have been reused from an earlier structure. The main part of the present building was built in 1609, but over the south porch doorway is a caving of the arms or Sir William Brereton, bart. and the moto (and date) ‘Opitulante Deo, 1506’. Above are inscriptions to two of the Church Wardens. The roof was raised and re-slated around 1815. The vestry, on the north side, was added in 1863 along with the bellcot (which replaced the original). At the same time the interior was extensively refurbished and much was lost. However, the 1609 screen survived.

<2> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 405150 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

Church: dated 1609, bell turret dated 1862 when church restored and vestry added. Ashlar red and buff sandstone, Welsh slate roof, stone ridge. 5-bay nave and chancel in one range. South porch and vestry. Gabled porch has shouldered 4-centred arched entrance with inscription. RONDVLL PRICKET CHURCHWARDEN EVER SINCE 1606 UNTILL 1611 Nave bays divided by weak buttresses have rectangular mullioned windows with round-headed lights. Blocked priest's door in right end bay. East window is a 6-light mullioned and transomed window with round-headed lights, under weak label mould. West end has 2, 2-light Victorian windows and an open octagonal bell turret on the ridge with tall pyramidal stone roof. Interior: simple with hammerbeam roof with carved brackets with heraldic bosses. Simple chancel screen on 6 wooden piers has inscription "This church as builded upon the Devoc'on of the Cuntrye, by the labor and travell of Ed. Tanat, Jo. Dodd, Tho Buckley, Gra. Weston P aº 1609" but the beam on which it is painted is strictly classical in style.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ55NW6/1964 (Index). SCH2487.