It is noted for its old chapels and for the monuments to the Mainwaring family.
History
It is thought that the original church was built in the reign of
Austin and Paley.[4] During the Second World War, General George Patton and his staff worshipped in the church while they were stationed in Peover Hall.[3]
Architecture
Exterior
The plan consists of a west tower, a four-bay undivided nave and chancel, south and north chapels, a south porch and a north vestry. The tower is in three stages. It has round windows and arched bell-windows with pilasters. The south chapel has two bays with three buttresses surmounted by gargoyles and a battlementedparapet. The north chapel is one of the earliest regular classical buildings in the region.[1]
Interior
The south chapel is approached through a porch and contains a
Franciscan altar cross, brass candlesticks and hanging lamps are from Florence. The north chapel contains the marble effigies of Philip Mainwaring in plate armour, his feet resting on a lion and his head on the family crest, and Ellen with a bear at her feet. In this chapel are monuments to other members of the Mainwaring family.[3] The ceiling contains a carved coat of arms in its centre. The north chapel screen is by F. W. Crossley.[5] In both chapels are fragments of medieval stained glass.[6]
In the chancel are effigies of further members of the Mainwaring which date from the 15th century. These possibly represent John, son of Randle, and his second wife Joan. In the main body of the church is the 15th-century font which is set on a base dating from a later period. An altar dating from the 17th century has been moved to the south chapel. The pulpit is Jacobean. On the north wall of the church is a painting of The Boy Daniel by John Rogers Herbert (1810–1890). In commemoration for the use of the church in the Second World War by General Patton and his staff, an American flag has been placed in the church with an explanatory bronze plaque.[3] The organ was built in 1898 by Jardine.[7] There is a ring of three bells, dated around 1500, 1626 and 1669.[8] The churchwardens' accounts commence in 1674.[3]
External features
In the churchyard is an old cross base bearing a more modern cross. The cross base dates from the 15th century and consists of three steps rising to square plinth carrying an octagonal shaft base. The cross is dated 1907 and consists of an octagonal shaft topped by a gabled canopy over a cross and two figures of saints. It is listed at Grade II,[9] and is a scheduled monument.[10] Also in the churchyard is a sundial which was constructed in the 19th century using part of the shaft of the original 15th-century cross. The shaft stands on two square steps. It is also listed at Grade II.[11] In addition the churchyard contains the war graves of three soldiers of World War I, and an airman of World War II.[12]
