St Mary's Church, Chirk - A remarkable and ancient parish church stood on Norman foundations

St Mary's Church - Chirk - Just across the border into Wales

St Mary’s Church in Chirk, Wrexham, is a remarkable and ancient parish church whose layered history reflects centuries of spiritual life. Today it’s a Grade I listed building, that stands prominently at the south end of Chirk’s Main Street, within an historic churchyard that has witnessed the growth of the town from early medieval times to the present day.

St Mary’s is believed to stand on Norman foundations on a site associated with the 7th century Celtic saint, Tysilio. The first stone church was mentioned in the Doomsday book of 1086, the Pipe Rolls of 1163 and the Taxations of 1291, shortly before the establishment of Chirk Castle. It wasn’t until 1467 that the churches dedication changed from St Tysilio to St Mary.

In the 15th century, the building was expanded when the original single nave was doubled in size by the addition of a north aisle. The west tower was constructed at the same time, and the tower houses bells that are still rung today.

The original south doorway of the Church is now blocked and can be seen behind a 19th-century buttress. This door was used into the 17th century and was originally the principal entrance for the people of the parish.

The church has undergone a variety of rebuilds and refurbishment over the centuries and this is evidenced by the fact that none of the windows are matching. A fire in the South aisle roof in 1853 accounts for the churches Victorian appearance and for the North aisle roof being the older of the two.

The churchyard was expanded significantly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through land gifts from the Myddelton and Trevor families to accommodate growth in Chirk’s population. Today it includes Victorian chest tombs, Celtic cross memorials, and memorials to figures such as Mary Maude, the author of the hymn “Thine forever, God of Love”.

The Trevor Mausoleum was erected in memory of Mary Rosamund “Moyra” Trevor, who died aged five in 1904; within the building stands an Italian white marble angel carrying a child.

There are two Commonwealth War Graves and other family memorials to the fallen of both world wars and there are stones and plaques dedicated to people who lost their lives in other conflicts.

In the 1970s, many of the earlier headstones were removed and repurposed as a pathway around the churchyard. Some of these date back to the 1700s.

Inside, the church preserves a wealth of historic features that illustrate its history and its local heritage. Decorated wooden roof bosses in the north aisle represent a variety of creatures — from Old Testament figures to mythological beasts, A stone font dated 1662, Stained glass windows of varying ages showing Gospel scenes, with some later commissions such as the Royal British Legion’s window from 1994. An important Book of Remembrance honouring parishioners who fell in the First and Second World Wars and plaques to the fallen of other conflicts.

St Mary’s is also notable for its monuments and memorials to local benefactors, particularly the Myddelton and the Trevor families, both commemorated with a series of elaborate monuments. Among these is the celebrated work of 17th-century sculptor John Bushnell, memorialising Sir Thomas Myddelton and his wife.

There’s oak furniture including boxes and coffers dating back to the 16th century, used historically to store valuable church records, vestments, and communion vessels;
And, resting near to the font is a heart shrine, found in the church grounds over a hundred years ago, it is said that during the crusades when a knight fell overseas, he would be buried there. Prior to burial, his heart would be removed and returned home to be interred in Christian earth. These miniature gravestones marked that spot.

St Mary’s remains an active and vibrant parish within the community and as part of the Church in Wales, continuing to host weekly services, family worship, and community events and welcoming visitors to explore its architecture, memorials, and its tranquil churchyard.

The lych-gate, erected in 1923, serves as both a practical entrance and a memorial to two doctors instrumental in founding Chirk Hospital