St Wilfrid’s Church, Grappenhall

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A Brief History of St Wilfrid and St

Wilfrid's Church, Grappenhall

The Effigy of Sir William Fitz William le Boydell, Knight, in the Sanctuary.  He died around 1275AD

St Wilfrid was born in Northumbria about 634 AD, and died in 709 AD. He was educated in the Celtic tradition at Lindisfarne, but after a visit to Rome became a protagonist of Roman customs, which he successfully championed at the Synod of Whitby in 664.  As bishop of York he was the first English bishop to appeal to the Pope, after his diocese had been divided without reference to him. On his way to Rome, he spent a year preaching the Gospel in the Low Countries, and on his return went as a missionary to Sussex and the Isle of Wight. Although reinstated in York, he fell out again with the king and other bishops, and exercised his ministry in the East Midlands and finally at Hexham. He is remembered for his forceful personality and apostolic spirit, as a founder of churches and monasteries, and as a patron of the arts.  We celebrate St Wilfrid's festival on 12^th October. 

The original Norman parish church in Grappenhall was probably founded in the early part of the 12^th century.  It probably consisted of a nave without aisles and a chancel.  The floor would be hard earth and the only seating would be a ledge running round the walls.  Very little of that original building still remains, though some of its foundations were discovered when the church was restored in 1873.  The tower of the original church was where the chancel of the current building is.  In 1334 the Boydell Chapel was added where the south aisle is now.

The Saxon Font, Rediscovered During the Restoration of 1873 

In the 16^th century, the church was substantially rebuilt using local red sandstone.  This rebuilding started in 1529 with the demolition of the small Norman church and the building of the chancel, north aisle and tower, the new tower being at the west end of the church.  In 1539 the Boydell Chapel was incorporated within the church, it previously having been separated by the nave by the north wall of the original Norman church.  Little more work was carried out until 1833 when the roof of the nave was raised to form a clerestory.  In the early 1850's, the church was south aisle was extended again and the vestry built.  In 1873-74 the church was completely restored.

An interesting feature on the outside of the church is the carving of a cat immediately above the large west window.  By its grinning expression, this may well be the original of the Cheshire Cat of Alice in Wonderland fame. 

The Cheshire Cat

The church contains many other interesting features.  Full details of these features, including the stained glass windows, are included in "A History of Grappenhall Church" written by Gordon Berry, churchwarden since 1968.  This book also contains information about some of the interesting people of Grappenhall through the ages.  Copies of the book can be obtained in church, priced £3.00.  

Office Address:

Church Lane  

Grappenhall  

Warrington  

Cheshire