Nantwich in Cheshire East, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Great Church of St Mary's
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 12, 2024
1. The Great Church of St Mary's Marker
St Mary's Church is a truly magnificent building inside and out.
With its distinctive octagonal tower it is a landmark visible on all routes into Nantwich. Built of red sandstone in the 14th century it is situated at the heart of this market town and has been a meeting place for Christians for many hundreds of years.
Around the roof line are many gargoyles thought in the middle ages to ward off evil spirits.
Here are some reasons why you should take a look inside...
There are twenty canopied choir stalls dating from the late 14th century with some fascinating carvings especially on the unusual seats called misericords. Misericord means act of mercy and the seats were designed to aid the monks during their many daily calls to prayer.
The stone ceiling above the chancel is a fine example of Lierne Vaulting, the centre bosses contain stories of the Nativity, the Passion and the Resurrection.
Look for the 'Green Man'. He appears in this church eleven times in glass, wood, stone and tapestry!
The Caen stone font is a reminder of the 1855 restoration by the architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, whose influence is seen in both the interior and exterior of St Mary's Church.
You can see a superb collection of kneelers, the Jubilee
this page online
The Two Saints' Way
The Two Saints' Way is a 90 mile recreated pilgrimage trail between the cathedral cities of Chester and Lichfield.
In the Middle Ages, pilgrims would no doubt have paused at this church or at the other St Mary's nearby in Acton. Those pilgrims often included musicians. If you look around the choirata you will find some five carvings of them playing cittern, fidde, symphony/hurdy-gurdy organ and there are two with bagpipes which was the most popular pilgrimage instrument.
The Two Saints' Why is divided into 16 stages. St Mary's marks the end of the stage 4 and the start of stage 5.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures.
Location. 53° 4.021′ N, 2° 31.278′ W. Marker is in Nantwich, England, in Cheshire East. It can be reached from Church Walk, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Church Walk, Nantwich, England CW5 5DG, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 12, 2024
2. St Mary's Church
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 21 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Crewe (approx. 6.3 kilometers away); Walks around Whitchurch (approx. 14.9 kilometers away); Welcome to Whitchurch (approx. 15 kilometers away); Life in 18th & 19th century Whitchurch (approx. 15.3 kilometers away); History on the Spot (approx. 15.3 kilometers away); a different marker also named History on the Spot (approx. 15.4 kilometers away); Welcome to the Holmes Chapel Conservation Area (approx. 18.5 kilometers away); Hartford's Listed Sites and its Conservation Area (approx. 19.9 kilometers away).
Photographed by “Shaw” Series, circa 1910
3. Parish Church
Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 192 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 26, 2024, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on July 29, 2024. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
