Monument record 1996/1/2 - Standing Cross in St Lawrence's Churchyard Stoak

Sundial, SW of Church of St Lawrence, Stoak. It forms part of an ancient cross, probably cut down in Puritan times. The dial is inscribed with the initials 'FE TE', possibly those of the church wardens responsible for the adaptation (1). Red sandstone. Socket stone has broached corners and an octagonal upper surface. It is 0.2m high above ground level. Octagonal chamfered shaft 1.2m high (2). Very worn. Remains of brass sundial cemented on top. Side has plaque, 1978, to church wardens John Cheers and Dick Kinsey (3).

The monument includes the remains of a medieval standing cross in the churchyard of St Lawrence's Church, Stoak. It has been broken off half way up the shaft and a sundial set onto the top. the base is a single massive block of local sandstone square and measuring 0.72m wide and 0.2m high above the turf. The socket is square and 0.35m wide into which is set the lower part of a shaft, square at the base, rising to octagonal through darts carved at the corners. The shaft stands 1.25m high and a sundial plate has been inserted in the broken top. The gnomon is missing. A plate has been set into the north side and a drilled hole in the south side may have supported another plaque. It is reasonably well preserved despite conversion to a sundial (4).

<1> Richards R, 1947, Old Cheshire Churches, Richards R 1947 /307 (Book). SCH2309.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1870-1982, Ordnance Survey Archaeological Record Card, SJ47SW7 1976 (Index). SCH2487.

<3> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, .4.35 (Report). SCH1934.

<4> English Heritage, Various, Old/Original Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Description), English Heritage 1999 SAM 30400 (Scheduling Record). SCH4606.

<4> English Heritage, Various, Schedule Entry (Scheduled Ancient Monuments Amendment), English Heritage 1999 SAM 30400 (Scheduling Record). SCH2950.