Building record 689/1 - St Mary's Church

St Mary's Church, Church Street, Weaverham. Largely 15th century work, restored in 1877, but the 16th century roof over the north aisle remains. There was a church here at the Conquest (1). Vale Royal Abbey had a prison and a court here (2). Tower is mid 15th century, remainder 16th century, probably later 16th century, restorations of 1855 by Salvin, 1877 by Douglas when porch and vestry added. Ashlar red sandstone, Welsh slate roof. Five-bay nave and chancel with aisles, south porch, vestry and four-stage west tower. This is a very large and complete church of the Post-Reformation period. The manor of Weaverham was held for 250 years by Vale Royal Abbey and so the church must have been rebuilt after the Dissolution by the new manorial owners. Full architectural description (3). Domesday reference. Tower 1485. Present church c.1600. Registers from 1576. Vicars from 1299 (4).

<1> Richards R, 1947, Old Cheshire Churches, Richards R 1947 /345-348 (Book). SCH2309.

<2> Cheshire County Council, 1974, County Treasures Record, 4/A.152 (Index). SCH1000.

<3> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /4/56 (Report). SCH1934.

<4> Department for the Environment, Various, Provisional List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /34/6/1 1965 (Report). SCH2744.