Building record 1404/1/1 - Church of St Mary

Church of St Mary,Church Drive.In Domesday Book there are 3 refs to 'Aldredelei'.The advowson of 'Alderlegh'is mentioned in documents of C14 (1). Church C14 core,early C16 tower,early C17 adds,chancel 1856,vestry 1860, general restoration 1877-8.Ashlar buff & red sandstone, stone slate roof.4- bay nave & aisles,3-bay chancel,massive 4-stage tower & S porch.S aisle has 2-storey ext of Stanley pew,approached by flight of stone steps to the right. Clerestorey with simple 2-light windows.Chancel in Decorated style.N aisle has inserted Jacobean dormer prob to 8 3-decker pulpit.Tower has diagonal buttresses & bands at each stage.Int:4-bay arcades on octagonal piers & with weakly pointed arches.S aisle contains Stanley flying pew (ie elevated like an opera box).Jacobean arcaded panelling to front with painted heraldry & C18 Gothick hood.Inside is further panelling containing some medieval carving & a coved pyramidal Jacobean strapwork ceiling with a pendant.C18 musicians gallery now contains an organ of 1875.2 Victorian effigies of Stanleys in chancel.C14 font with plain circular bowl with carved head bosses on a cluster of 4 columns.Nave has panelled barrel roof with cambered moulded tie beams & aisles have moulded panel lean-to roofs.Full archictectural description (2).

<1> Richards R, 1947, Old Cheshire Churches, Richards R 1947 /18-22 (Book). SCH2309.

<2> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /4/115 (Report). SCH1934.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ87NW6/1964 (Index). SCH2487.