Monument record 1583/1/2 - Standing cross in St Christopher's churchyard

Preaching cross in St Christopher's Churchyard. Base probably medieval & made of 2 large square stone blocks, the upper one with ET cut in it. Tall octagonal shaft & cross-piece perhaps added when cross was repaired in late 18th & early 19th century (1). Richards suggests the cross may have existed before the church ie. pre-14th century (2). Base is medieval & the shaft and surviving part of head were added during repairs in 18th C. Base is made from 2 dressed blocks of local gritstone. 1st block is 1.3m sq & 0.25m high. Base block is 0.85m sq & 0.45m high. Top edges slightly chamfered. Letter E T are cut into stone on S side. Shaft is set in a socle 0.32m wide. Shaft is square, with chamfered edges, tapering to the top & is 3.2m high. Tenon visible at top of shaft and a square stone cap (3).

<1> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /5/94 (Report). SCH1934.

<2> Richards R, 1947, Old Cheshire Churches, Richards R 1947 /279 (Book). SCH2309.

<3> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), 30369 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<3> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), 30369 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ97NW9/1964 (Index). SCH2487.