Great Warford.
The plaque on the front of the
church between the two long pointed windows on the right of the building| For more lonely and lovely
Old Cheshire Churches CLICK HERE. |
| |
Baptist Chapel
Great Warford. |
The plaque on the front of the
church between the two long pointed windows on the right of the building |
| Hurrying motorists who use the road in front of the
church as a quick way from the A34 to the A535 miss this tiny gem just
near the John Lewis centre. In the Civil War of the 1640's a group of Puritan soldiers were stationed nearby and in 1668 they founded a meeting place. It survived and prospered and this half timbered Tudor farmhouse was converted by the congregation into a chapel in 1712. |
How to find it. On the A537 Knutsford to Chelford road follow the signs for the John Lewis centre at Marthall. On Mill Lane turn right into Merryman's Lane, the church is your left. Alternatively take the A535 south of Alderley Edge and turn right into Merrymans Lane after 2 miles. Map Ref 815772 |
| The first Baptist congregation began meeting in a nearby farmhouse. The group grew and after the Act of Toleration in 1689 passed by the first parliament of William and Mary small groups were given greater religious freedom. In 1712 the group had grown large enough to need their own building so they leased this barn and converted it. In a lease dated 29th July 1712 they leased it for 1,000 years at a rent of 2 shillings to be paid at the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin. The building is half church and half dwelling house. | |
 |
 |
| The church from the side | The church from the rear showing the half timbered construction |
| The interior taken from outside. | |
 /> |
 |