The history of town’s famous parish church

And it has a history which dates back the seventh century.

This week in Yester Years, we look at the history of Warrington Parish Church.

It features in Janice Hayes’ book Warrington in 50 Buildings which is out now.

First documented in the Domesday book in 1085, there was a probably a place of worship at the site from the seventh century.

Janice, heritage manager at Culture Warrington, said: “By the early 13th century it stood at the heart of the medieval village of Warrington and adjoined the castle of the Boteler family who were lords of the manor of Warrington.

“The parish was the centre of local government and church festivals were an important part of people’s lives.”

The church was built in stone in the 12th century and remodelled in the 14th century as the town grew in prosperity.

It was a Royalist stronghold during the Civil War and survived a siege attack from the Parliamentarian army in 1643.

Indeed cannonball marks can still be seen on the exterior of the building today.

Wooden galleries were added in the 18th century to cope with the growing size of the town.

But by the mid 19th century it has started to fall into disrepair and Rev William Quekett, then Rector of Warrington, vowed to repair it when he arrived in 1854.

It was largely rebuilt by architects Frederick and Horace Francis but Quekett decided it needed a spire and launched an appeal for a guinea for a golden cock.

The spire measured 281 feet and at the time was the third highest parish church spire in England.

Inside the church enshrines much of the town’s history.

An effigy of Lord Winmarleigh, the great grandson of the builder of Warrington’s town hall, is in St Anne’s chapel.

While the alabaster tomb of Sir John Boteler remains in the regimental chapel of the South Lancashire Regiment in honour of his family’s role in the early life of the church.