Venue bookings can be made through Qwest Training Booking
01244 972 008
stmarysbookings@qwestservices.co.uk
A vibrant cultural venue for the city of Chester. A stunning space with adaptable staging, set in gorgeous hidden corner of the City of Chester.
Limited parking for 1 hour in day time (Unrestricted in Evening) is available outside the Centre and at the Groves. There are Car Parks located at the Little Roodee and at the Crown Courts at the Castle.
St Mary's is situated on top of a Hill behind the castle , to the south west of the city, inside the city walls. It is one of the nine original medieval parish churches. It is in the Perpendicular style dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. The church contains many fine memorials. St Mary's is no longer a church. It is now owned by the County Council. It is now used as a meeting place/venue and education centre. St Mary's is not normally open to the public.
The church was given to the abbot of St Werburgh's by Ranulph the forth Earl of Chester.
The first record of a Church on the site comes after the Normal conquest in 1153.
The roof is supposed to come from Basingwerke Abbey in Flintshire after its dissolution in 1536.
Gamul Family Tomb
Full-length effergies of Thomas Gamul (Died 1613) and his wife (Died 1640).
A young Sir Francis Gamul depicted reading on the family tomb in St Mary's.
Gallery
St Mary's Hill
If you walk down St Marys Hill to Shipgate Street. You can access Bridge Street. Click on the picture for more information.
Saint Mary's hill is said to be haunted by a ghostly heard of cattle.
If you walk up St Mary's Hill you can access Chester Crown Courts and Chester Castle. Click on the picture for more information.
The Church Tower
The Church Tower is on the west side of St Mary's. The bottom two courses of masonry date from the 17th Century.
The East End
The East end of the church is built on a Sandstone outcrop overlooking County Hall and the River Dee.
Blocked Doorway
The West End
At the west end of the church is the tower and ditch, separating the church from the castle.
The Porch
The porch of St Mary's is located on the North side of the Church.
Saint Mary's Churchyard
The church is surrounded on all sides by a small graveyard. The headstones have been removed and broken up to form a wall along the path.
The graveyard of St Mary's was used to bury execution victims from the near by Castle.
The following entries appear in the parish records :
1631 - 'Thomas Laceby, a prisoner, pressed to death, buried in the churchyard on the north side of the steeple on the 23rd day of April. John Johnson, Joan Broome and Katherine Crosse, three persons that were executed, buried at the west end of the steeple in the churchyard the 25th day of April'.
1656 'Three witches hanged at Michaelmas Assizes, buried in the corner by the Castle Ditch in the churchyard 8th of October'.
Memorials
St Mary's has a large number of well preserved memorials dating back to the 17th Century.
Here lies the body of Richard Monksfield, Butcher.
Who died on the 27th December 1644.
Tim Oee Buckle
1647
Memorial to Edmund Gamul
The Tomb of William Brock
Memorial to Philip Oldfeld, who died in 1616.
The Troutbeck Chapel
The Troutbeck Chapel was built in 1443, and a priest was paid £5 6s 8d a year to act as a chantry priest. The chapel was rebuilt in 1683.
The board reads
William Troutbeck and xxxxxx Esquire.
Chamberlain of Chester.
Sir William Troutbeck and Grandson.
Sergeant of the Bridge Gate.
And the other members of the Family.
Who Here Lie Buried.
The Tablet is Placed By
The Reverend John Troutbeck D.D.
Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen.
And Minor Cannon of Westminster.
The Nave
St Mary's has a double nave. Near the entrance is a piece of original oak from the ceiling taken down during restoration work.
It has a carving on dating it to 1639.
The Chancel
The Chancel arch dates from around 1350.
Stained Glass
Access to the Building
The building is locked when not in use.
Venue for Hire
St Marys Centre is available to hire. Please contact
Cheshire West and Chester Council
HQ 58 Nicholas Street Chester Cheshire CH1 2NP
For all bookings please contact
bookings@stmaryscreativespace.co.uk
Back Doctor Chiropractor The Old Rectory St Mary's Hill Chester CH1 2DW 01244 637 535
www.back-doctor.co.uk enquiries@back-doctor.co.uk
Back-Doctor is a top Chester Chiropractic Clinic. Mr Stephen Massey is a registered chiropractor. He has helped thousands to become free from back pain, neck pain and headaches with his unique treatment which combines osteopath and physiotherapy techniques.
His treatment will help you to move effortlessly. When your body is moving as it should, many long term problems start to heal of their own accord. As you return to good health, you will be encouraged to exercise and to adjust your posture with your own personal home exercise programme