St Mary's Parish Church

A "PLACES TO SEE" PAGE              

NANTWICH Parish Church is the latest church to stand on this site in the centre of Nantwich - being built a mere 650 or so years ago . . .

   That figure is approximate. I remember the 600th anniversary was celebrated in 1950 and that was something of token anniversary. The building has had a varied history, one episode of which  was being used as a jail for Royalist prisoners in the Civil War in the 1640s. Those with a macabre view on life - or an interest in history! - can see lead embedded in one of the walls on the south east side where some prisoners were shot.

   More recently, in the 1960s, a further event of note for the church was the invasion of the Death Watch Beetle in woodwork in the building which necessitated a major appeal. The problem of keeping the building available not only for the St Mary's congregation but for any townsperson who wishes to use it for a baptism, wedding or funeral, has meant a continuous programme of restoration and repair ever since. Not that the beetle episode was the first. Sir George Gilbert Scott's restoration of 1850 was another cause for an appeal. (See the latest appeal here).

   The best time to see St Mary's is in the winter months because the trees in the church grounds mask the building from The Square in the summer. Although the view was improved when a tall tree in Church Walk was blown in high winds in the spring of 2007. The trees of St Mary's are also featured on this page. The smaller view, above right, is from the door of the Parish Hall  - or Church House as some people call it.

   By the way, if you visit Nantwich (or if you are a local who didn't realise) please note that the area of green in front of the parish church is not a lawn for sunbathing, picnicing, etc. It is a grassed-over graveyard. . .! Or, as the plaque (left) in one corner says, "Consecrated Burial Ground." It was closed to burials in 1854. I'll bet the people who lie on the grass in the sunny months don't realise they are lying on top of graves of plague victims! Please respect the area for what it is. Thank you.

lLocation: Just off The Square in the centre of town.

lOpening times: Open to the public between 8.30am and 5pm (4pm in winter). Of course, tours of the church cannot take place during services.

lAdmission: There is no charge to go into the church, but with more than £400 a day to find for running costs, the church has boxes for donations.

lDisabled access: A new entrance at the south porch was completed at the start of September 2009. As well as doors that can be opened at the touch of a button, there is a wheelchair lift bypassing the four steps down into the church. See this page.

lWebsite: www.stmarysnantwich.org.uk.

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