St Edward The Confessor

substantially later with some C15-C16 work including fenestration of aisles, and 2 C19 restorations, the first by Ewan Christian, then a major restoration and rebuilding of the chancel by Street in 1867.

STYLE: W tower has C14 W door but is largely Perpendicular.

S porch dated 1670 with flat roof and embattled parapet, and Mannerist decoration to heavy voussoirs of round-headed archway.

Aisles occupy the eastern length of the nave only (earlier full-length aisles possibly truncated during the C16).

Fenestration of surviving aisles suggests a C15 date, but the fabric may be earlier, and a blocked round-arched doorway in the N aisle may also indicate an earlier date.

C16 clerestory with 4-paired trefoiled lights in eastern section of nave over aisles.

S aisle has shallow gabled roof with embattled parapet, probably C16.

Remains of medieval masonry visible in N wall which also clearly reveals that Street's rebuilding represented an extension of the length of the original chancel.

C16 nave roof restored c1856 by Ewan Christian, with deep panels between moulded principals, purlins and ridge, with bosses at their intersections.

Stained glass in E window of chapel dated 1878

rose window to N also with glass by Morris and Co.

Brass set into E wall, 1597, John Ashenburst and his 4 wives.

S aisle narrower than the north, with Morris and Co. glass in E window, and in the rose window which is a memorial to Dame Elizabeth Wardle, d1902.

Wall memorial to members of the Bulkeley family, early C18.

Marble font in S aisle dated 1867

Enriched timber pulpit, octagonal and corbelled out from a narrow base

canopied niches in each face carry statues carved by Earpe to designs of Street.

Cast-iron screen in stone tracery filling 2-bay arcade to organ chamber to S. Cast-iron and brass altar rails.

Marble reredos with central inlaid cross and figures of saints in canopied niches each side.

Windows have stained glass possibly by Clayton and Bell, the colours now badly faded.

Similar glass in S window of S aisle chapel.

The church is also notable for its examples of the work of the Leek School of Embroidery, including altar frontals and an embroidered panel depicting part of the Hierarchy of Angels. (Meeson R: Parish Church of St Edward, Leek).