Viewing the interior of the Church
From the earliest days right up to 2008, the shape of the Church has undergone considerable changes both interior and exterior.
There are no plans before the fourteenth century, though there are fragments of earlier work built in to the masonry of later date. Of these, the most obvious are some Saxon carved stones in the West Wall of the Porch and a fragment of Norman work preserved in a niche in the North Chancel Aisle.
The earliest date, which can be given to any part of the present building, is the fourteenth century. The Chancel has on the South Side, a square headed two light window, which is probably of this date. The East Window is modern, but constructed in fourteenth century style. A part of the old North Wall of the Chapel remains between the Chancel and the North Chancel Aisle. This was originally the outer wall of the Chapel.
The fifteenth century saw the main part of the Church completed, and by 1571 the building consisted of a West Tower (with Spire), Chancel, Nave, North and South Aisles, South Porch and North Door. There are also references in North and South Chapels in existence at this date to lead us to believe that there were two chantry chapels in the Church, one at the East End of the South Aisle and the other probably in a corresponding position on the North Side, though the exact position is unknown.
In 1716, Plumbes Chapel was erected. A plain building of size twenty feet square jutting out from the old North West of the Church. Soon after, in 1739, what is now used as the choir vestry, was constructed. This was originally the chapel of Issac Greene, and passed to the Gascoyne family and then to the Salisbury family, before being taken over for its present purpose.
There are no plans before the fourteenth century, though there are fragments of earlier work built in to the masonry of later date. Of these, the most obvious are some Saxon carved stones in the West Wall of the Porch and a fragment of Norman work preserved in a niche in the North Chancel Aisle.
The earliest date, which can be given to any part of the present building, is the fourteenth century. The Chancel has on the South Side, a square headed two light window, which is probably of this date. The East Window is modern, but constructed in fourteenth century style. A part of the old North Wall of the Chapel remains between the Chancel and the North Chancel Aisle. This was originally the outer wall of the Chapel.
The fifteenth century saw the main part of the Church completed, and by 1571 the building consisted of a West Tower (with Spire), Chancel, Nave, North and South Aisles, South Porch and North Door. There are also references in North and South Chapels in existence at this date to lead us to believe that there were two chantry chapels in the Church, one at the East End of the South Aisle and the other probably in a corresponding position on the North Side, though the exact position is unknown.
In 1716, Plumbes Chapel was erected. A plain building of size twenty feet square jutting out from the old North West of the Church. Soon after, in 1739, what is now used as the choir vestry, was constructed. This was originally the chapel of Issac Greene, and passed to the Gascoyne family and then to the Salisbury family, before being taken over for its present purpose.
The window, with shots from the outside looking down and looking through the window at the rear of the church. Also the Church Wardens Pew area.
The church was enlarged considerably in 1834 by the addition of a North Aisle, an extension westwards of the Plumbes Chapel and in 1851-53 the whole place was repewed, The present vestry built and the North wall of the Chancel opened to convert the old vestry in to additional pew space. The entire North Aisle was rebuilt in 1906, and this is the most modern part of the present building. The foundation stone was laid on 17th October 1903 which full records enclosed. The inscribed stone may be seen in the outer wall of the North Aisle, just North of the West Door.
The orientation of the Church is 10 degrees 42' north of east.
Walking towards the main door from the interior of the church, one will find the old Churchwardens Pew behind the open door.
The carved wooden board at the back of the Pew records that the sum of ten guineas was given by The Dowager Lady Gerard, part thereof for erecting this Seat for the user of the Churchwardens, and "ye overplus towards five new Bells in the Steeple of this Church". he board also bears the names of William Wood and William Lake, the first Churchwardens to use the pew.
Behind the Churchwardens Pew is what is thought by many to be the Lepers Window (but is only a natural light low level window).
The Nave belongs to that part of the Church which was built in the fifteenth century.
The floor of the aisle will be seen to slope eastwards, a rarity in church architecture.
The Church is built on the side of a hill, and the ancient architect seems to have intended that the floor should fall with the ground. Until 1851 the line was continued as far as the sanctuary, there being three or four steps down to the Chancel, making the altar stand at a level some four or five feet lower than the base of the west tower. In 1851, however, the chancel was raised three feet bringing it level with the nave.
Referring to the raising of the Chancel floor, it has been said that in doing this a very great alteration was for the worse was made in the interior of the Church. It would be a most laudable work if some rich person would restore the chancel level and make Childwall once more one of the rare examples (Halsall is another) of churches whose east end is considerably lower than its west.
At the junction of the nave and sanctuary stands the lectern, the pulpit and the priests prayer desk.
The pulpit dates from 1853, the last date at which extensive alterations were made in the arrangement of the furnishings. Before this time, the old pulpit stood against the pillar on the North Side of the Aisle, a few yards west of the Chancel Arch.
The old three-decker pulpit was sold and is said to be in a church or chapel near Abergele.
The new one, in carved oak, with prayer desk to match, was purchased from George Shaw for the price of 73 10s 0d.
The floor of the aisle will be seen to slope eastwards, a rarity in church architecture.
The Church is built on the side of a hill, and the ancient architect seems to have intended that the floor should fall with the ground. Until 1851 the line was continued as far as the sanctuary, there being three or four steps down to the Chancel, making the altar stand at a level some four or five feet lower than the base of the west tower. In 1851, however, the chancel was raised three feet bringing it level with the nave.
Referring to the raising of the Chancel floor, it has been said that in doing this a very great alteration was for the worse was made in the interior of the Church. It would be a most laudable work if some rich person would restore the chancel level and make Childwall once more one of the rare examples (Halsall is another) of churches whose east end is considerably lower than its west.
At the junction of the nave and sanctuary stands the lectern, the pulpit and the priests prayer desk.
The pulpit dates from 1853, the last date at which extensive alterations were made in the arrangement of the furnishings. Before this time, the old pulpit stood against the pillar on the North Side of the Aisle, a few yards west of the Chancel Arch.
The old three-decker pulpit was sold and is said to be in a church or chapel near Abergele.
The new one, in carved oak, with prayer desk to match, was purchased from George Shaw for the price of 73 10s 0d.
A shot of the Pulpit from the present day - back to the 1950's
A rare shot on the right shows the old gallery in the top left corner of the picture!
The History of Childwall
- STOP PRESS - SAVE CHILDWALL CHURCH GRAVEYARD
