Building record 933/1/1 - Church of St Peter

Church of St Peter, Aston Lane. A late 17th/early 18th century church, damaged by bombs during the second world war and subsequently carefully restored and reglazed. The chancel is c.1695, nave finished 1736, both on ground plan of 1635. Red sandstone ashlar and roofs of grey slates. Nave with west cupola belfry and N & S porches. Interior has oak pews, pulpit and dado of 17th century character. 17th century altar table. Fine set of tablets in chancel to Aston family 1635-1839 (1). Registers from 1635 (2). Full architectural description (1) and (2). The church was originally the chapel to Aston Hall & the king gave 5 pounds p.a. rent for the maintenance of a minister here. The chapel was made a parochial chapel in 1635 to serve the adjacent villages of Sutton, Aston juxta Sutton, Middleton Grange in Aston & Aston Grange. The chapel was built not later than 1542. All that remains of this chapel is a stone in the churchyard (3). The 17th C chancel is the work of Sir Willoughby Aston of Aston Hall (RN:934/1) (4).

<1> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /3/27 (Report). SCH1934.

<2> Department for the Environment, Various, Provisional List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /10/1 1964 (Report). SCH2744.

<3> Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 1883 -, Transactions of the Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, 102/115-135 Richards R 1950 (Journal/Periodical). SCH3293.

<4> Pevsner N & Hubbard E, 1971, The Buildings of England: Cheshire, /67-68 (Book). SCH3078.

<5> Hanshall, J. H., 1817-1823, The History of the County Palatine of Chester, /407 (Y) (Book). SCH1382.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ57NE5/1964 (Index). SCH2487.

<7> Ormerod, G., 1882, The History of the County Palatine and City of Chester, 1/726 (Y) (Book). SCH1389.