The name or dedication of the church.
This identifies the church type. Most churches are parish churches which means they serve a specific parish or area. Other types such as chapel, daughter and mission are mostly historic designations as many are now also parish churches. Please note that former churches are no longer used for worhsip and may be in private ownership.
A unique identification number given to every church.
The name of the diocese in which the church is located.
The name of the archdeaconry in which the church is located.
This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.
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There are 3 levels of listing: Grade I, II* & II. The majority of buildings which are of special interest are Grade II. A much smaller number of particularly important buildings are listed as Grade II*. Buildings of exceptional interest (approx 2% of the total number of listed buildings) are Grade I.
Ancient monuments and archaeological remains of national importance are protected by law. Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service is responsible for compiling a schedule (list) of these ancient monuments, some of which can be found in churches and churchyards. Examples can include churchyard crosses and the archaeological remains of previous churches or buildings on the site.
There are three National Parks in Wales: Snowdonia, Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons. These protect 20 percent of the land in Wales, including precious landscapes, habitats, villages and heritage sites.
There are over 500 conservation areas in Wales. They are designated by local planning authorities for their special architectural and historic interest.
The Buildings at Risk register is managed by Cadw (the Welsh Government’s historic environment service) in order to identify the number and type of listed buildings at risk in Wales.
It is often extremely difficult to determine a precise date of construction for a church as many have been extensively altered over time. Church Heritage Cymru therefore shows a date range within which a church is believed to have been constructed. The dates are as follows: Early Medieval (pre 1066), Medieval (post 1066 to 1540), Post Medieval (1540 to 1837), Victorian/Pre WWI (1837 to 1914) and Modern (post 1914).
This is a very brief summary of the church's main features. More detailed nformation can be found in the other fields and pages (tabs) in this database.
Useful information is displayed here for people wishing to visit the church. This may include things like opening hours, catering & toilet facilities, parking, etc.
If the church has its own website the details will be displayed here.
Any further sources of information for the church will be listed here (eg. links to other historic databases).
This is the Ordnance Survey (OS) reference for the location of the church. Some locations will be approximate as this data is continuously being refined and updated.
This is the name of the Local Authoirity within which the church is located.
This describes how the church relates to its immediate and wider environment, sometimes called its setting. It describes how the church contributes to its landscape or townscape and how these things collectively contribute to the character of the area.
Chirk is 15km south of Wrexham via the A483 and the A5 which bypasses the town. It is 10km north of Oswestry along the A5 and the use the roads signposted into the village. The church stands at the southern end of the main street on the northern side of the valley of the |Afon Ceiriog
Reference AA Route Planner OS Map 126 Cadw Listing Notice 615
This is a description of the ground plan of the church.
If known, the dimensions (measurements) of the church ground plan will be displayed here.
If the footrprint (area) of the church is known, it will be displayed here.
A description of the history and archaeology of the church and its site.
The church dates from the early C12 when a maerdref was here, the nave and chancel serving the Lordship of Chirk. In the early C13 it may have been appropriated as a chapelry of vale Crucis Abbey (west of Llangollen), by 1291 it was valued in its own right at £8. In 1519 William Edwars of new hall caused the addition of a parallel nave and shortly after the tower in the west bay. Alterations occurred in C17 and C18 and again in 1811when the chancel was whitewashed. In 1829 new pews and galleries were added. The galleries were altered in 1849 and then in 1853 the east end was renewed following a fire. The furnishings were altered in 1877 by E Griffiths of Chirk. The vestry was enlarged about 1927 and in 1950 the tracery in the western most window was renewed. The church hall was added in 1981.
Reference Buildings of Wales– Clwyd 2003 Cadw Listing Notice 615 CPAT Denbighshire Historic Churches Survey
A description of the exterior of the church and the main features of the churchyard.
The church was built with large grey blocks from the sandstone of the Upper Coal Measures beneath slate roofs. It has twin naves, chancel, tower and vestry built largely in the Perpendicular style. The tower is of three stages with angle corner buttresses and string courses at each stge. It has a two light bell opening and crenelated parapet. There is a stair in the northwest corner. Attached to the north side of the church is late C20 stone-built range extending to a meeting hall with toilets and kitchen.
Reference Buildings of Wales – Clwyd 2003 Cadw Listing Notice 615 CPAT Denbighshire Historic Churches Survey
Information about any noteable architects, artists, people, or events associated with the church.
Information about any important features and building fabric.
If known, a list of the church's major building material/s will be displayed here.
Any renewable energy systems the church is using will be listed here.
This section gives a general description of the interior of the church. Further details of any important internal fixtures and fittings will be listed below.
The south nave and undifferentiated chancel is of six bays having a roof of restored C15 arch-braced collar trusses, plastered below the rafters. The arches sweep up from stone corbels forming a pseudo-hammer beam, they have raking struts above the collars. Two steps lead into a parquet floor sanctuary with the altar one step more. The two roof bays over the east end of the church have a segmental vaulted ceiling which has been divided by three intermediate ceiling trusses with moulded ribs and a ridge beam with gilded bosses – all in C19 Gothic style. Between the north and south naves is a four-bay arcade of octagonal columns carrying depressed arches. The independent roof of four bays has similar heavy moulded rafters and wall plates and with three tiers of purlins which are exposed. The tower has a depressed tower arch into the north nave, here the spandrels of the brackets are carved and coloured while the soffits of the alternate trusses have carved animals. The truss of the second intermediate bay has a carving of two knights on a balcony with the inscription DAVIT underneath while opposite is a jettied tower house. The pulpit is to be found beside the chancel arch, it has C17 carved floral panels and an angled top and approached up a C19 replica newel stair. The large octagonal stone font is to be found under the tower and has the inscription D.R.T.P. 1662. It has a contemporary octagonal cover with a knob at each angle. The reredos and altar rail are of carved oak dating from C20. There is dado panelling around the sanctuary. The stained glass: ‘Visitation with Prophets’, Kempe, C20; ‘Faith, Hope and Charity’, Burlison & Grylls; ‘Ascension’, C19; ‘Resurrection’, Bell & Son of Bristol, C20. There is a ring of six bells Cast in 1814 by John Rudhall.
Reference Buildings of Wales – Clwyd 2003 Cadw Listing Notice 615 CPAT Denbighshire Historic Churches Survey A National Bell Register - George Dawson's Website - Homestead
Information about the church's important internal fixtures and fittings.
Information about the church's important moveable items and artworks.
A description of the ecology of the churchyard.
Information about the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.
Records whether the church has been consecrated.
Records whether there have been burials in the churchyard.
Records whether the churchyard is still being used for burials.
Records whether there are any war graves in the churchyard.
Any important churchyard structures will be listed here.
Signifiance levels are set at high, medium and low.
Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship of the church to its surrounding area and helps place it within its wider landscape context.
Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the significance of the historic building fabric of the church.
Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the historic significance of the interior of the church.
Significance defines what is special about a church. This could be architectural, archaeological, historical or liturgical. Here, it describes the relationship between the church and its community.