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Historic churches in Shropshire

Staffordshire

be dazzledstep inside St Mary’s Shrewsbury, for a dazzling display of internationally renowned stained glass

get closer to the pastShropshire and Staffordshire are home to some of England’s finest historic churches.

In these buildings, you can touch the past. From worn floor tiles to a pew polished smooth by generations of church-goers, there is something in every building that makes history come alive.

All the churches in this leaflet have been saved by The Churches Conservation Trust. The Trust is a charity that cares for more than 340 churches in England. This is one of 18 leaflets that highlight their history and treasures.

For more information on the other guides in this series, as well as interactive maps and downloadable information, see visitchurches.org.uk

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Shrewsbury, St Mary the Virgin 1ShropshireAn ancient church with world-famous stained glass

• Stained glass spanning six centuries• Animals, birds and angels carved in an oak ceiling

The spire of St Mary’s is one of the tallest in England and for over 500 years it has dominated the skyline of Shrewsbury’s old town. In 1739, showman Robert Cadman made a fatal attempt to slide from it, head first, using a rope and a grooved breastplate. His engraved obituary stands outside the west door.

The church has ancient origins. It dates from Saxon times and has beautiful additions from the 12th century onwards. Inside, the atmosphere is peaceful with the soaring stone arches giving way to the church’s great treasure – its stained glass. There are panels in glorious colour including the world-famous 14th-century ‘Jesse window’ and scenes from the life of St Bernard; a Medieval cartoon strip that shows him ridding flies from an abbey, riding a mule and curing the sick.

St Mary’s Street, Dogpole, Shrewsbury SY1 1EF Shrewsbury town centre

Nearest railway station: Shrewsbury (0.5 miles) Open 1 Apr to 31 Oct: Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm; 1 Nov to

31 Mar: Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm; occasional Sun

vast richesmarvel at the soaring spaces of St Leonard’s, Bridgnorth

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Wroxeter, St AndrewShropshireA Saxon church built from Roman ruins

St Andrew’s is built on the site of Viroconium, the fourth largest town of Roman Britain, and evidence of the ancient town is everywhere. The gateposts are made from Roman columns; the walls contain massive Roman stones; and the huge font is made from an inverted Roman column base. Inside, the church are three 16th-century alabaster tombs – each has a life-size, and eerily life-like, painted figure lying in repose.

Wroxeter SY5 6PH 4m SE of Shrewsbury on B4380

Nearest railway station: Shrewsbury (5.5 miles) Open daily

3

Bridgnorth, St LeonardShropshireVast Medieval church restored by the Victorians

This proud Gothic church is a Victorian restoration. The original church was almost entirely destroyed in the Civil War when Roundhead troops used it as an ammunition store and it exploded during a battle. Inside, the church has an airy vastness – as you enter, you get an extraordinary sense of space unfolding before you. The 19th-century interior is thoughtfully designed – look for the umbrella stands on the pews.

St Leonards Close, Bridgnorth WV16 4EJ Bridgnorth High Town Centre

Nearest railway station: Telford (10 miles) Open Fri and Sat, 11am-3pm

2

Battlefield, St Mary Magdalene ShropshireA memorial church to a bloody battle

This large, dignified church stands in open countryside on the site of the ferocious Battle of Shrewsbury, which took place in 1403. Thousands of soldiers are thought to have died in the fray, and the church was built as a memorial to them. A statue of Henry IV, who defeated Henry ‘Hotspur’ Percy in the battle, stands on the outside east wall. On the roof beams inside are representations of the shields of the knights who fought with Henry IV.

Battlefield, Shrewsbury SY1 1DX 3m NE of Shrewsbury off A49

Nearest railway station: Shrewsbury (3 miles) Open Mon-Sat, 9.30am-5.30pm and Sun, 10am-4pm

4

Upton Cressett, St MichaelShropshireA beautiful, remote Norman country church

A picturebook church, St Michael’s is on a hillside above a quiet, idyllic valley west of Bridgnorth. With its stone walls and moss-covered roof, this mostly Norman church looks as much a part of the landscape as the trees that surround it. In February, a carpet of snowdrops enlivens the old gravestones. The church’s interior is sparsely furnished and has a lovely Norman arch in the centre. Nearby is Upton Cressett Hall, a privately owned manor, built in the reign of Elizabeth I.

Upton Cressett, Bridgnorth WV16 6UH 4m W of Bridgnorth off A458

Nearest railway station: Telford (10 miles) Open daily

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ShropshireAdderley, St Peter 6Set in rolling countryside, this red sandstone church mainly dates from around 1800. The attractive pointed cast-iron windows were made nearby in the Severn gorge, birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.

Adderley Road, Adderley, Market Drayton TF9 3TD 7m N of Market Drayton on A529 Keyholder nearby

Longford, Talbot Chapel 7The surviving south aisle of a Medieval church, demolished in 1803. It contains a fine 17th-century monument to Thomas Talbot, with original railings. The inscription has a moving tribute to Talbot’s widow.

Longford Road, Longford, Newport TF10 8LR 2m W of Newport on Salters Lane/Longford Road Open daily

Preston Gubbals, St Martin 8A charming church, remodelled many times, featuring a beautifully preserved 14th-century engraved tomb slab. Outside, on the south side, a sundial has been created – possibly in the early 19th century – on the base of a churchyard cross.

Preston Gubbals, Shrewsbury SY4 3AN 4m N of Shrewsbury off A528 Keyholder nearby

Stirchley, St James 9An intriguing church set in a quiet location only a mile away from central Telford. The chancel, dating from the 12th century, is made from local sandstone and contains an eye-catching ornate arch. The nave and tower are 18th-century brick additions.

Stirchley Road, Stirchley Village, Stirchley, Telford TF3 1DY 2.5m S from Telford town centre, access from A442

Brookside roundabout Keyholder nearby

StaffordshirePatshull, St Mary 10A handsome sandstone church built in 1742 by Sir John Astley in the picturesque grounds of his home, Patshull Hall. The interior contains impressive 16th- and 17th-century memorials to members of the Astley family.

Patshull Hall, Burnhill Green, Wolverhampton WV6 7HY 7m W of Wolverhampton off A464 Holyhead Road Closed due to conservation work

More churches to enjoyEach CCT church has been saved because it is special. We can’t do justice to them all in one leaflet, so visit our website for more information on those only briefly described here.

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Other local heritage attractionsA Ironbridge – gorge and museumsB Dudmaston House – and art collection C Viroconium – Roman city D Weston Park – house, gardens, farm shopE Attingham Park – house, gardens F Hodnet Hall – gardens

G Haughmond Abbey H Cholmondeley Castle – gardensI Lilleshall Abbey – Augustinian remains J Ludlow Castle

Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey ® on behalf of The Controller of HMSO© Crown Copyright 2012

Finding our churchesThe map opposite shows the location of each of our churches in Shropshire and Staffordshire, together with other nearby attractions and CCT churches in adjoining counties.

Our website, visitchurches.org.uk, has much more detailed information to help you plan your trip.

1 Shrewsbury, St Mary the Virgin (cover image) SJ 494 126

2 Battlefield, St Mary Magdalene SJ 512 173

3 Bridgnorth, St Leonard SO 717 934

4 Upton Cressett, St Michael SO 656 925

5 Wroxeter, St Andrew SJ 564 083

6 Adderley, St Peter SJ 661 395

7 Longford, Talbot Chapel SJ 726 184

8 Preston Gubbals, St Martin SJ 491 195

9 Stirchley, St James SJ 699 067

10 Patshull, St Mary SJ 800 006

CCT churches in neighbouring counties. For details, go to visitchurches.org.uk or see the relevant county guide.

Ordnance Survey ref

www.english-heritage.org.ukTelephone 0870 333 1181

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A4146

A41

A38

A38

A50

A50

A50

A52

A6

A46

A46

A46

A42

A1139

A47

A580

A63

A15

A565

A56

A61

A19

A19A66

A168

A689

A19

A66A66

A595

A69

A690

A189

A19

A1

A1

A1

A720

A90

A92

A92

A90

A90

A90

A90

A90

A96

A9

A9

A8

A8

A80

A77A78

A45

A37

A483

A34

A34

A51

A513

A59

A64

38

A628

A630

A170

A64

A165

A76

A702

A9

A39

A39

A5A677

A487

M4

M67

M56

M876

M8

A3(M

)

A329

M5

M5M3

M27

M27

M275

M23

M25

M25 M20

M26

M20

M2

M3

M4

M25

M25

M25

M1

M40

M4

M4

M4

M48

M4

M4

M5

M5

M5

M50

M40

M42

M1

M1

M1

M1

M1

M1

A1(M)

M11

A1(M)

A1(M)

A1(M)

A1(M)

A1(M)

M6

M6

M6

M6

M6

M6

M6

M6

M6

M45

M69

M42

M6 Toll

M54

M56M53

M60M62

M57

M58 M60

M62M61

M66

M55M65

M62

M62

M180

M18

M77

M74

M74(M)

M73 M80

M8

M9

M9

M80

M90

M90

Stoke-on-TrentNewcastle-under-Lyme

Telford

Wolverhampton

BIRMINGHAM

Stafford

Shrewsbury

Bridgnorth

CannockLichfield

Ashbourne

Rugeley

UttoxeterStone

Leek

Whitchurch

NantwichWrexham

Oswestry

Brownhills

ChurchStretton

BishopsCastle

Ellesmere

MuchWenlock

Newport

MarketDrayton

Shawbury

Wem

Ludlow

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The Churches Conservation Trust1 West Smithfield, London EC1A 9EERegistered Charity No: 258612 © CCT 2011

visitchurches.org.uk

Welcome to a thousand years of English historyThe Churches Conservation Trust is the national charity protecting historic churches at risk.

We’ve saved over 340 beautiful buildings which attract more than 1.5 million visitors a year. With our help and with your support they are kept open and in use – living once again at the heart of their communities.

Visiting informationGo to visitchurches.org.ukfor detailed directions, local maps, information on disability access and up to date opening times.

For other enquiries, call us on 02072130660 (Monday – Friday, office hours), or email welcome@tcct.org.uk

Please take care when visiting our churches. Floors may be uneven/worn or slippery, and interior lighting may be low.

Assistance dogs are welcome. For full disabled access information, see our website.

Unsure about the ‘keyholder nearby’ access? You will find details at the church or call us in advance.

Parking is available at most churches – see the website for more details.

The closest station for each church is shown in the guide. For bus routes, see traveline.org.uk

Cyclists welcome! For cycle routes, go to sustrans.org.uk

Help us save historic churches The CCT needs to raise an additional £1.5million every year just to cover essential repairs. If you enjoy your visit please leave a donation at the church, or go to visitchurches.org.uk/donate for details of how you can help.

Find out more Our website has a host of additional information that will help you plan and enjoy your visit, including: • Interactive maps• Filterable lists of all our churches• Up to date opening times• Visitor comments• Downloadable guides• Image galleries• Event listings Go to visitchurches.org.uk to access all this and more.

Become a fan facebook.com/ChurchesConservationTrust

Follow us twitter.com/TheCCT