Building record 1951/1/1 - Church of St Mary the Virgin, Bruera

Church of St Mary the Virgin, Chapel Lane, Bruera. The Church Building is Listed. Formerly called 'Capella in Bruera', the church was in existence in Saxon times and traces of 10th century masonry can be seen near the doorway. Earliest reference is in chartulary of St Werburgh's Abbey between 1141 and 1157 (1).

The present building has late C11 or early C12 chancel arch and probably masonry in nave and chancel; C14 and C15 windows; south chapel late C15; belfry, south porch, vestry. General restoration 1896. Squared, roughly coursed red sandstone, slate roof. Oak framed, louvred west belfry on ridge with low, square shingled spire. Aisleless nave and chancel. Archway from nave to chapel of one bay. Each respond of the chancel arch has three attached shafts, the outer two linked by four beakheads suggesting Norse influence. South capital has carved foilage and faces. On the face of the nave of the porch arch (rebuilt c.C14) are four carved voussoirs with possible Norse sun symbols. The font is a stone baluster with hollowed trough, probably C17. Good stained glass, 1897. Full architectural description (2).

The church is first documented in the mid C12th. Fabric of Norman date survives in the south door. (7)

<1> Richards R, 1947, Old Cheshire Churches, Richards R 1947 /70-74 (Book). SCH2309.

<2> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /3/28 (Report). SCH1934.

<3> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, Ormerod G 1882 2/762-3 (Book). SCH1389.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ46SW11 1986 (Index). SCH2487.

<5> Chester Archaeological Society, Journal of the Chester Archaeological Society, Ayrton W 1849 1/113-115 (Journal/Periodical). SCH1595.

<6> Cambrian Archaeological Association, 1846–present, Archaeologia Cambrensis, 10/205-6 1910 (Journal/Periodical). SCH305.

<7> Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (RCHME), 1986, Moat & Settlement Remains at Bruera (Unpublished Report). SCH2200.