St John the Evangelist's Church, Alvanley explained

St John the Evangelist's Church, Alvanley
Pushpin Map:Cheshire
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Map Caption:Location in Cheshire
Location:Alvanley, Cheshire
Country:England
Coordinates:53.2613°N -2.7547°W
Osgraw:SJ 498 741
Website:St John, Alvanley
Dedication:John the Evangelist
Status:Parish church
Functional Status:Active
Heritage Designation:Grade II
Designated Date:6 December 1985
Architect:J. S. Crowther
Style:Gothic Revival
Completed Date:1860
Materials:Red sandstone
Grey slate roofs
Parish:Alvanley
Deanery:Frodsham
Archdeaconry:Chester
Diocese:Chester
Province:York
Vicar:Revd Richard Tuckwell

St John the Evangelist's Church is in the village of Alvanley, Cheshire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester and the deanery of Frodsham. Its benefice is united with that of St John the Evangelist, Manley. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building. It is described by the authors of the Buildings of England series as "a building of some character".

History

The church was built in 1860 to a design by J. S. Crowther at the expense of Catherine Emma Arden, the youngest daughter of Richard Arden, 1st Baron Alvanley.

Architecture

Exterior

The church is built in red sandstone with gabled grey slate roofs in early Decorated style. Its plan consists of four-bay nave with north and south aisles under separate roofs, and a chancel with a north vestry. On the west end is a corbelled belfry with small steeple containing two bells. The windows contain either Geometric tracery, or Y-tracery. The gables have ornate cross finials.

Interior

The arcades are carried on circular piers. The stained glass dates from the early 20th century, and is probably by Shrigley and Hunt. Also in the church is a wooden board giving the list of curates since 1677, and vicars since 1861.

External features

In the churchyard are two tombs which are listed at Grade II, and the war graves of a British and a Canadian soldier of World War I.

See also