Cathedral Church Of Christ And The Blessed Virgin Mary
Newtown
Cheshire
On site of Saxon minster founded in or before 958, the present structure dates from C1100 for Abbot Richard
Architectural Features
1260-1280 for Abbot Simon of Whitchurch
late C15 for Abbot Simon Ripley
early C17 for Bishop Bridgeman
EXTERIOR: the west front has attached north-west wing 1880s by Blomfield on early C13 undercroft which conceals the incomplete north-west tower, c1140, from external view
recessed doorway, niches, angel frieze and Assumption
8-light panel-tracery west window, probably late C15 for Abbot Simon Ripley
The south end has an arched oak door on ornate hinges to the west aisle, surmounted by a 4-light flowing-tracery window with ogee hoodmould and C19 figure of a saint in a niche.
gargoyles
The late C13 3-bay Lady Chapel has triple lancets between gabled buttresses, probably embellished by Scott
The carved rectangular font presented by Earl Egerton of Tatton 1885 is Victorian in Early Christian style.
the west window has glass of 1961 by WT Carter Shapland depicting Mary, northern saints and Lady Aethelflaed of Mercia
J and T Wainwright 1686 and 1720 designed but not executed by William Kent for Bishop George Berkeley
Sir William Mainwaring 1671
The consistory court in the stump of the south-west tower has screen to nave and full furnishings early C17 for Bishop Bridgeman.
The 6-bay nave has south arcade of mid C14
north arcade, largely designed to match, 1485-93 for Abbot Simon Ripley with his monogram on west respond capital
1883-6, is of early C12 masonry visible from the cloister.
Lectern 1875 by Skidmore
pulpit 1840 by RC Hussey
Memorial tablets on the aisle wall include, from the west: E Jones 1834 and family
The 5-bay south transept c1340 has west aisle with monuments and east aisle with each bay chapel.
The south chapel, with sedilia and piscina in its south wall, has a medieval rib vault.
The stained glass south window The Triumph of Faith is 1887 by Heaton, Butler and Bayne.
The free-standing monument to Hugh Lupus first Duke of Westminster, 1902 by CJ Blomfield has recumbent effigy by FW Pomeroy.
Wall monuments: on south-west crossing pier C Hawker 1800 and T Poole 1818
Mayor T Greene 1602
on wall of west aisle, from north: Cheshire Regiment cenotaph and memorial to Lt. Gen. Sir W Hastings Anderson its Colonel 1894-1909
Sir W Gerrarde 1581
The 4 transept chapels have wing walls carved with rolls of honour and, from north to south reredoses by WE Tower, by CE Kempe carved at Oberammergau and 2 designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.
The crossing piers are early C14.
the choir aisle gates are 1558 from Guadalajara, presented to Chester Cathedral 1876
The late C14 stalls with fine misericords, richly carved bench-ends and canopies, some restored 1870s, are of high quality and interest.
early C17 candlesticks by Censore of Bologna
Stained glass, from west
Monuments: tombchest c1300
piscina C14.
Glass, from west
Tablet designed by Sir A Blomfield, carved by Sir J Boehm 1887 to Bishop Jacobson
The Chapel of St Werburgh east of the aisle is probably early C16, having 2 tierceron-vaulted bays
glass 1857 by O'Connor
rib-vaults with 3 fine carved bosses: the Trinity
St Werburgh's Shrine, behind the high altar is of stone, C14, reconstructed by Blomfield.
Stained glass 1859 by Wailes.
Monument to Archdeacon Wrangham 1846 by Hardman
brasses to Rev. MD Taylor, 1845 Puginesque, by Hardman, Dean JS.
The North Transept of 2 bays is c1100 with clerestory C15
simple early Norman archway to chapel, now sacristy, east with 6 arches of contemporary triforium above and piscina south
good oak ceiling with carved bosses.
stained glass in east clerestory windows 1853 by Wailes
Wall monuments: cenotaph to members of Cheshire (Earl of Chester's) Yeomanry slain in Second World War
At corner with nave aisle C17 whale-ivory Tree of Jesse.