Weaverham

Weaverham is a village and civil parish just off the A49, it is to the west of Northwich and south of the River Weaver.  Weaverham is also home to the Anglican Church of St Mary, there have been 3 Churches on the site. The first was Saxon and this was substantially built, for it existed in 1277 when King Edward I built the Abbey of Vale Royal. Unfortunately, there is no trace of this early Church. The second Church was built between 1281 and 1360. The Church was long and narrow, with a Priest's vestry, approached by a door, now blocked up on the South side of the high Altar. The tower is the oldest part of the present Church. It was originally 6 ft. higher and spired. It is embattled, has diagonal stepped buttresses at its corners with a Tudor hood. It has 4 string courses and gargoyles that protrude at the angles together with carved heads. The arms of the Warburton family can be seen carved on the south face.  Extensive alterations and enlargements took place in the 16th century and the Church is largely of that period.