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St Mary the Virgin

An active parish church in the rural village of Bosley, nestled between the Peak District hills and the plains of Cheshire, come see the Commonwealth War grave, ancient sundial, railway memorial, or just enjoy the tranquil setting.

Bosley, Cheshire

Opening times

Church is open daily.

Address

Church Lane
Bosley
Cheshire
SK11 0NX

St Mary’s is part of the Peak Parishes Benefice and is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building.

The original church, built in 1402 on the authority of a Bull issued by Pope Boniface IX while Henry IV was King of England, was a Chapel of Ease to the Parish Church of Prestbury. The Tower was built of local sandstone, the nave and chancel were timber and plaster and the roof thatched. It was burnt down in 1770 leaving only the tower. After the fire the ancient font was used as a pig trough in a local farm, it was rescued and replaced on a new pedestal in 1848. A list of ministers by the entrance goes back to 1596. John Thorley, minister from 1728-65 lived in the church tower which was the customary residence of the minister. The tower contains a peal of six bells, the oldest dated 1663, most with inscriptions.

The nearby North Staffordshire Railway line and viaducts crossing the River Dane were constructed about this time and Rev. William Sutcliffe undertook the chaplaincy of about 2,000 navies. There is a wall monument in church to John William Nowell, who died in 1851, a railway contractor who was probably involved in the construction.

The ‘Jacobean’ carved oak pulpit probably dates from the rebuilding of the church after the fire, and the big old oak chest with the marks of the adze when the wood was cut, has three locks and was probably used for the keeping of registers, communion vessels and other valuables. Outside, to the south of the nave, is a sundial dated 1652 on a stone plinth, which could have originally been a cross, destroyed at the time of Cromwell. The cross would have been used as the place for worship before there was a church. The oldest grave left with a visible inscription is dated 1671. There is also a war grave from WWI for Private William Barnes. A Roll of Honour plaque for local men adorns the north wall.

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Social heritage stories

  • National heritage here

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Dog friendly

  • Car park at church

  • Bus stop within 100m

  • Accessible toilets in church

  • Holy Communion service every Sunday at 9.30am. Second Sundays are shared with our Methodist friends. Third Sunday is usually Family Service and if a 5th Sunday appears with have a joint Benefice service.

  • First Wednesday of the month at 10am is Praise & Play for children & their carers.

  • Every Monday evening 7.30pm to 8.30pm is church bell ringing practise (Tower Captain: 01260 226542).

  • Church of England

  • Cornerstone Grant, £15,000, 2020

  • Our Cornerstone Grants fund urgent repairs and essential community facilities such as toilets and kitchens to help keep churches open.

  • Repair Grant, £10,000, 2010

  • Our Repair Grants funded urgent repair work to help keep churches open.

Contact information

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