The 17th & 18th CenturiesA Thousand years of Staffordshire's Churches
Introduction to this exhibition Site Help Eleventh & Twelth Centuries Thirteenth & Fourteenth Centuries Fifteenth & Sixteenth Centuries Seventeenth & Eighteenth Centuries Nineteenth & Twentieth Centuries

Ingestre, St Mary

Only two new churches were built in Staffordshire during the 17th century. Ingestre church was built by Sir Walter Chetwynd and is believed to be to the design of Sir Christopher Wren. There is no documentary evidence to support this but the two were both members of the Royal Society and friends and the quality of the building speaks for itself.

Click to view larger imageThis interior view by John Buckler is dated 1841.

Broughton, St. Peter

Built in 1633 and originally the private chapel of the Broughton family, it was made available for worship to local families by the Broughtons from 1711. The high box pews are original 17th century and rare in Staffordshire. The ecclesiastical parish was not established until 1924.

Click to view larger imageSepia drawing by T.P.Wood, 1838

Rushton Spencer, St. Lawrence

This church is a rarity in Staffordshire having an earlier timber frame construction inside a later 17th century stone building. Timber framed churches are very rare in the county.

Click to view larger imageThis watercolour drawing by L.J. Wood shows it in a slightly dilapidated state but does not detract from the charm of the building or its isolated situation.

Weston under Lizard, St. Andrew

Click to view larger image
Click to view larger image
Click to view larger image

Plans drawn by Lady Elizabeth Wilbraham for the restoration of St. Andrew's Church in 1700. These are believed to be the first architectural plans to be drawn by a woman.

Norton le Moors, St. Bartholomew

Click to view larger imageBuilt in 1737 by Richard Trubshawe, this drawing by T.P Wood shows a classical building with a short brick tower and ball finials.

The seating in the Georgian church was extended in 1852 to provide an additional 36 sittings. But even this proved to be insufficient and the church was further extended in 1911-13 in memory of a former rector.

Click to view larger imageClick to view larger imagePlan showing original and proposed layout of pews, 1852.

Click to view larger imageAppeal for funds, 1911, and invitation to the laying of the foundation stone, 1913.

 

Continue your tour in the 19th & 20th Centuries >> or choose a time period from the Timeline at the top of the page.