St Michael and All Angels
Chetwynd, Shropshire
A church has existed in Great Bolas as early as the 13th century when, from the early registry transcribed by Revd WGD Fletcher, the incumbent on November 10th, 1306 was Alan de Newton.
Today, no part of the mediaeval building remains, except possibly two stones in the east window behind the altar. The chancel was built in 1690, the existing nave was demolished in 1727 and a replacement was finished the following year and reopened on 23 June 1728. At the time of writing we are only six years away from our church's 300 year old birthday!
The tower was added in 1730. The contents of the church have altered little since 1729 and retains the dignity and simplicity of the original work. The Nave has a complete set of 18th century panel box pews. The squires pew, situated in front of the pulpit, use to have a balustrade but has been cut down. The pulpit is a 18th century fielded panel pulpit with a tester (canopy). The chancel has four choir stalls made of oak (believed to be 17th century). Three are freestanding and 1 attached to the chancel wall. There are also two freestanding Victorian pine book rests. The choir pews are simply constructed from thick sections of timber and are incongruous with the other fixed pews in the Nave. The detailing would suggest that some of the panels have been salvaged from other timber structures and repurposed. The origin is unknown.
The church has a fine collection of records. The parish registers date back to 1582; the Churchwardens Accounts start in 1699 and those of the overseers of the poor in 1698. This means that there is a continuous record of the people of Great Bolas and the work of the parish officers from the reign of William and Mary up to the present day.
A notable document is the wedding certificate of Sarah Hoggins and John Jones dated 1790 which recorded their bigamist marriage. John Jones was already married, he was Lord Burleigh, the son and heir to the Marquis of Exeter. He did eventually marry Sarah legally on 3 October 1791, after divorcing his first wife. ‘Mr Jones’ built Bolas Villa and left it to his godson, Cresswell Tayleur, son of the Curate of Bolas who conducted the first marriage.
