Churchof St John Evangelist, Ashton Hayes near Chester

CONSECRATION OF CHURCH AT ASHTON HAYES, CHESHIRE —On Friday week, took place the ceremony the consecration (by the Bishop of Chester) of the new church, which has just been erected by the munificent liberality of Mr. Willi Atkinson, on his estate Ashton Hayes, in the parish of Tarvin, Cheshire.  … The church a beautiful edifice, and is built of white sandstone, in the perpendicular style of Gothic architecture, from the designs and under the superintendence of Mr. E. H. Shellard, architect, of Manchester. It consists of nave with a north aisle and are highly carved and enriched with tracery. The chancel fitted up with very elaborate stalls, having beautifully carved ends, with poppy heads and angels. Under the tower there is a small gallery, beneath which is the vestry. The floor of the church is laid with red, black, and buff tiles, in various patterns, and the chancel with very elaborate encaustic tiles, obtained from Messrs. Minton and Company, of Stoke-upon-Trent. The site of the church is particularly well chosen, and from its elevated position it forms a delightful object in the landscape for many miles around and is surrounded by beautiful scenery. It stands near the road from Tarvin to Manley and Frodsham and is central to the population comprised within the limits of the pastoral district. The church will accommodate 330 worshippers. On the eastern side of the church-yard, commodious and well-arranged south porch, spacious chancel, and a lofty tower and spire of elegant proportions at the west end of the structure. The north aisle is divided from the nave by a row of octagonal pillars with moulded capitals and arches, with drips terminated by well carved heads. The roofs, which are stained in imitation of old oak, are constructed from ancient examples, and are highly wrought and moulded. The windows throughout the church are very chaste and elegant, particularly those the eastern end, which are glazed with beautifully executed stained glass, by Wailes, of Newcastle-on-Tyne; the four Evangelists being represented in the chancel window; and the figures of St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. John the Baptist, being prominent features in that of the north aisle. The church is fitted up with uniform open seats of massive construction, adorned with buttresses. The font (carved in St. Helen's stone) is placed at the west end of the church, near to the porch door, and is of large dimensions, and well elevated above the general level of the floor. The pulpit and desk are placed on either side of the chancel archway, and school-rooms are built the same style as the church; and opposite to the west end of the church stands the parsonage, a most convenient “modest mansion.” The general character and effect of the church and these adjacent buildings are most creditable to the taste and judgment of the architect; and as this well-designed establishment for ministering to the religious comfort and edification of the charming locality of Ashton Hayes, only distant about seven miles from Chester, we have no doubt it will excite considerable interest and attention in that vicinity.  The Church of Ashton Hayes and the surrounding burial-ground occupy 2571 superficial square yards of land. The site was given, and the church has been built and endowed at the sole cost of Mr. Atkinson. [Manchester Courier 21 March 1849 page 8]

Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 4 September 1847 Page 11 (Contracts)
Reference    Manchester Guardian Wednesday 8 September 1847 Page 1 (Contracts)
Reference    Chester Chronicle 10 September 1847 page 1 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Courier 28 November 1846 page 8