History of St.Chad's with St. Mary’s, Shrewsbury
The Fall and Rise of St Chad's
Since early medieval times there has been a church in Shrewsbury dedicated to St Chad, first Bishop of Mercia in the 7th century. By the end of the 18th century the large but ageing building had fallen into disrepair,
Old St Chad’s from the north westbefore the collapse of 1788and cracks had appeared in the tower. The great engineer, Thomas Telford, advised that it was in danger of collapse, and he was right. One morning in 1788 the parishioners awoke to find they had a pile of rubble but no church.
After much argument a new site was found on the derelict town wall, and the Scottish architect George Steuart, who had designed nearby Attingham Park and a church in Wellington, was commissioned. He submitted various designs, and although the Parochial Church Council preferred a rectangular one, 'due to a misunderstanding' he actually completed a circular plan that had been considered but rejected. Time was short, however, and it became the final design. Stones from old St Chad’s were used as foundations and the foundation stone was laid on St Chad’s Day, 2 March 1790.
Current St.Chad’sThe
new church was opened on 19th August 1792. Its design differs from typical
Georgian buildings, and mixes Ionic, Doric and Corinthian styles in its facade
and interior. The central hall, with a sweeping double staircase to the gallery,
is more like a country house than a church, as is the decoration on the ceiling
of the nave. Yet the church is a child of its time, for the delicate banisters
and the slender pillars supporting the gallery are early
products of the Industrial Revolution then beginning in Shropshire.
The circular nave is unique, with pews arranged like a maze. The original 'three-decker' pulpit has been replaced by one in Arts and Crafts style in copper and brass, placed under the rim of the gallery. This opens a clearer view of the Sanctuary, which, bordered by Corinthian pilasters and columns, contains a fine reredos and a colourful window, made by the renowned Shrewsbury firm of Betton and Evans.
Memorial tothe K.S.L.I. On the right hand side of the main entrance to the church is St Aidan's Chapel. After the Second World War it was made into a memorial chapel for the local regiment: the King's Shropshire Light Infantry.
Here the colours of the 1st and 4th battalions of the KSLI are laid up and displayed. The 4th Battalion was presented by the French government with the 'Croix de Guerre avec palmes' for their outstanding bravery at the Battle of Bligny on 6 June 1918. At St Chad's 'Bligny Day' is celebrated by a special service every June.
St Chad's is Shrewsbury's Civic church, where important ceremonies with both a civic and a spiritual nature are held. These include Mayor-Making, the Remembrance and Battle of Britain Day services, and the King's Shropshire Light Infantry commemoration of Bligny Day.
You may notice that the full title of the church: “St.Chad’s with St.Mary’s” is sometimes used. When St.Mary’s was made redundant in 1987, the Churches Conservation Trust took on responsibility for the care and preservation of its building. It is the vicar of St.Chad’s who has spiritual over-sight of St.Mary’s