On a steep embankment shaded by archaic yew trees in the quiet backwater of Warburton Village close to nearby Lymm stands an ancient religious timber-framed structure that has been associated with worship and prayer since as far back as the 11th century.
This wonderful archaic piece of history known as St Werburgh’s old church was once home to an order of Norbertine Canons having established a priory here around 1187AD and it was also used as a hospital by the monks to help local people living close to the church. The time had come once again for me to set off on another of my history walks into the past and with my camera in hand where better than to explore this wonderful ancient religious site for myself and to see the history that still remains to this day.
After passing the medieval village cross complete with wooden stocks I arrived at the church and I was greeted by what can only be described as a living time capsule, a place of exquisite beauty and a historical atmosphere that would fire the imagination of anyone who has a passion for our ancient past. To think that this church and the graveyard had stood here for almost a thousand years and borne witness to endless baptisms, marriages and of course burials certainly brings history to life in an almost visual way.
A wander around the graveyard soon begun to tell a story of generations past.
St. Werburgh’s Church
There is no doubt that the village of Warburton has its roots firmly entrenched in the early Medieval period of English history. A further clue to the ancient past of St Werburgh’s church comes with a field close by named Abbey Croft and in the 19th century three medieval stone coffins most likely from the priory were found ten metres from the church. Inside the church itself you can still find one of these medieval coffins on display as well as the archaic stone font inscribed with the name ‘William Drinkwater’ and the date of 1603. The chancel has a wonderful hexagonal pulpit dated to around 1600AD and carrying conventional designs of the Elizabethan period.
St Werburgh’s is just one of twelve ancient timber framed churches to survive in Cheshire and Southern Lancashire. The old church holds few services although it remains consecrated. The church is cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust and public access to view the church is usually possible via a keyholder who lives nearby. A visit to this ancient place of worship is a must for any history lover although the beauty of the church and surrounding landscape is in itself is worth seeing by everyone.
Things to look out for on your visit:
• The medieval stone cross and wooden stocks
• The medieval stone coffin
• The carved stone font dated 1603
• The hexagonal carved pulpit dated 1600
My film, The Church of St Werburgh, shot at Warburton, takes you inside the church and can be viewed for free by visiting my channel, youtube.com/@Tvpresenter4history.
