Nominal: 1447 Hz Weight: 340 lbs Diameter: 24" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1921
Dove Bell ID: 59444 Tower ID: 23162 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Saltney Ferry: St Matthew
Overview
Grid reference: SJ 368 653
A small red-brick Mission church, curiously located in an isolated position backing onto open fields at the very edge of Saltney, an outlying south-western industrial suburb of Chester. Built in 1908-10, probably to a design by W T Lockwood who was very active in the area, as a Mission church to serve the local workers.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
3-bay aisled nave and 2-bay chancel, west baptistery, first floor south organ chamber with vestry beneath, wooden south-west porch.
Dimensions:
Nave 13m (40ft) by 5m (16ft).
Description of Archaeology and History
Built in 1908-10, probably to a design by W T Lockwood who was very active in the area, as a Mission church to serve the local workers.
Exterior Description
A simple building, in the usual lancet style employed for Mission churches at this period. The church has little vertical emphasis (see below), the low-pitched nave roof continuing unbroken down over the narrow aisles, leaving little space for the two small single lancet windows in the south wall (the west bay has a pointed doorway to the small lean-to wooden porch) and the three stepped four-light lancet windows in the north wall.
The chancel has a three-light in the north wall, three lancets under a continuous hood-mould, and a single lancet in the sanctuary side walls. The east window is also a three-light, of stepped lancets under a pointed relieving arch. The west window is identical but lacking this detail. Underneath this, the projecting polygonal baptistery is lit by small single lancets.
The south transept containing the organ chamber and vestry below is a prominent part of the composition, the chimney at the south gable providing the only vertical emphasis. It has an integral boiler house with lean-to roof projecting to the south, hence the chimney. The boiler house is lit by small rectangular windows, some of which are boarded up. The east wall of the vestry is pierced by two small three-lights, with cusped heads within square-headed surrounds. The first floor organ chamber is lit by a lancet either side of the chimney flue.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century 3-bay aisled
Chancel
20th century 2-bay
Baptistery
20th century west
Organ (component)
20th century south chamber, first floor
Vestry
20th century beneath organ chamber
Porch
20th century south west, wooden
Building Materials
Brick
20th century red walls
Sandstone
20th century blackened dressings
Timber
20th century roof structure
Welsh Slate
20th century roof covering
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is quite standard, the sandstone arcades of the narrow aisles carried on octagonal piers without capitals from which the pointed double-chamfered arches spring, with a continuous hood-mould over. The chancel arch is a larger version of the same motif, high and springing from massive responds.
The complex roof structure is of pitch-pine, of false hammer-beam construction in the nave, with a boarded barrel-vault roof in the chancel and cruck construction in the organ chamber. The floors are of woodblock, with the exception of the boarded bench pew bases and encaustic tiles in the chancel.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Oak table carved with Madonna and Child.
Reredos
19th century Carved oak with inset oil painting, the Last Supper, probably brought from elsewhere, late 19th century.
Pulpit
20th century Hexagonal oak pulpit, very plain.
Lectern
20th century Wooden eagle on a tall stem with moulded base, in memory of Emily Atkin, died 1955. Reading desk.
Font (component)
20th century Limestone octagonal font, cylindrical, plain. Located in the baptistery.
Stained Glass (window)
20th century In the east window only. The Ascencion in the central light flanked by the Nativity, surrounded by angels. Traditional treatment, artist unknown, c 1956.
Organ (component)
20th century Two manual pipe organ by Whiteleys of Chester. Baby grand piano, Crane & sons, defunct.
Pew (component)
20th century Dark-stained pitched pine bench pews with squared ends and panelled backs.
Stall
20th century Three rows of choir stalls with wrought iron legs.
Rail
20th century Tripartite plain wooden rail.
Panel
20th century World War I and II Memorial board attached to the south aisle wall.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SJ 368 653
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Submit a change
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