St Chad

MATERIALS: Freestone local red and grey sandstone, hand-moulded brick, tile roofs.

INTERIOR: The C12 form of the church is clear from the interior.

The east and north arches of the C12 crossing have survived.

In the north wall of the chancel is a segmental-pointed arch of excessive span, replacing a two bay arcade, but retaining C14 polygonal responds.

Nave walls are plastered but chancel and aisle have exposed stone walls, revealing a blocked C14 chancel north window.

Nave, aisle and tower have C20 tiles with parquet floors below benches, and the chancel floor is stone-paved.

PRINCIPAL FIXTURES: The font is C17 Gothic, brought here in the late C19 from Christ Church in Stafford.

The pulpit is Jacobean with steps and pedestal dating to its restoration in 1903.

The C17 communion rail has turned balusters.

A Royal Arms over the chancel arch is dated 1856.

There are several impressive monuments.

On the north and west sides of the chest are figures including men in ruffs and a swaddled child.

In the chancel east wall is a wall monument to Francis Elde , with Ionic pilasters, entablature and achievement.

A large inscription tablet to the Eld family is surmounted by a tall two-dimensional obelisk commemorating Francis Eld There are also two Eld-family hatchments.

There are fragments of medieval glass in tracery lights, and several late C19 and C20 stained-glass windows.

SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: The churchyard has several good-quality C18-C19 memorials, including the headstone of Elizabeth Tilsley (LBS no 444162).

HISTORY: Seighford was a substantial church in the late C12, with aisled nave and crossing tower.

The chancel was extended in the C13 or C14.

The north aisle was rebuilt in the C14

extended to the length of the chancel in the C15.

The crossing tower fell in 1610 and in 1722 the body of the church was described as `very ancient'.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The Church of St Chad, Seighford, is listed Grade II* for the following principal reasons: * It retains substantial C12 fabric, including crossing arches

nave arcade. * For the C14-C15 fabric in the chancel

north aisle. * For the historical interest of its C18 nave and tower. * It has monuments of definite quality of the C16-C18. * It has other interior fixtures of interest, including C17 communion rails, C18 family pew with hatchments, and pulpit of Jacobean origin.