Building record 1978/1 - Church of St Mary

<1> Richards R, 1947, Old Cheshire Churches, /Richards R 1947 145-8 (Book). SCH2309.

Church of St Mary. Richards suggests church evolved from chapel at Dodleston Castle & given by Alan de Boydell to Abbot/Convent of St Werburgh, Chester, about King John's time. Mentioned in document 1198-1208.Floriated cross, now set upright on W wall of new church, discovered when old fabric demolished 1869.When digging to old foundations, pre-Reformation chalice & paten found, since lost

<2> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /2/30 (Report). SCH1934.

Present building: Lower stage of tower early C16,remainder of church rebuilt by John Douglas,1870,Perpendicular style. Red sandstone, slate roofs in 2 parallel ridged spans over nave & N aisle.2-stage tower with short spire within crenellated parapet; nave, N aisle; chancel; N vestry; half timbered gabled N porch.Int:4-bay nave arcade on oct columns, arched braced trusses to nave roof, painted chancel roof. Fragment of med coffin & royal coat of arms (1660) mounted on W wall. Under tower-tomb of Sir Thomas Egerton, Baron Ellesmere and Viscount Brackley & wife. Octagonal font, probably C17.Full architectural description.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ36SE10/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

<4> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2003, Proposed Toilet & Kitchen Extension at St. Mary's Church, Dodleston, Cheshire: An Archaeological Evaluation, R2464 (Client Report). SCH4440.

An archaeological evaluationwas undertaken in 2003 in the churchyard of St. Mary's Church, Dodleston. Two test trenches were excavated located in the proposed postitions of foundation pads for a new toilet/kitchen extentsion on the south side of the church. In Trench 1, in situ human burials, probably post medieval in date, lie at a deth of circa 50cm below ground level. Trench 2 was located against a church buttress, here in situ burials, potentially of an earlier date, lay at a depth of circa 90cm. Examination of the below-ground stonework of the church in Trench 2, indicated that the nineteenth cenetury rebuild was most likely constructed on medieval foundations.