Building record 1264/1/3 - Chapel of St Mary

<1> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 101/97-138 Richards R 1949 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

Chapel of St Mary was the private chapel of East Hall,situated in the park c.100yds to the W of the hall. The chapel has always been associated with the church in High Legh mentioned in Domesday, but this could in fact be Rostherne Church. The chapel was prob used by both the East and West Hall families until the West Hall built its own chapel (RN:1264/1/4).

<2> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /4/43 (Report). SCH1934.

The present building was built in 1581 by Thomas Legh and has always been known as by High Legh Chapel. The S aisle roof dates to 1836 and the chancel to 1884. Ashlar with tiled turret to W gable. Interior: 3 bay nave with octagonal wooden piers to aisles with archedbraces extending on 4 sides to aisle roof principals. Roof trusses have cambered tie beam, collar and angle braces. 2 purlins with wind bracing and ridge. Upper clerestory with animal heads and figures of saints.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ78SW1/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

<4> Chester Archaeology, 1993, High Legh Golf Course: Desk Based Assessment (Client Report). SCH1344.

A desk-based assessment undertaken in 1993 in advance of the development of a golf course at High Legh examined the origins and history of the estate and village of High Legh and what remains today.

In the medieval period both East Hall and West Hall had its own Chapel of Ease and these, at least in part, still survive. The chapel of East Hall, dedicated to St.Mary, was founded in 1581 and is now possibly the oldest surviving building in the village, with later additions in the 19th century. The south aisle was added in 1836 , and the chancel in 1884 by J Oldrid Scott. This chapel appears to be of late medieval/post medieval foundation and is unlikely to be the successor of the church existing in the 11th century in Domesday.