The Rev. THOMAS STEDMAN, M.A.
“Forty-two years Vicar of this Parish, during which period
his mind, his writings, and his discourse
were with deep humility devoted
to the glory of God, the happiness of mankind,
and the temporal and spiritual interests of his flock.”
He died Dec. 5th, 1825, in the 80th year of his age.
On a large Grecian tablet is a Latin inscription to the memory of the
late Rev. Francis Leighton, M.A. who died Sept. 7th, 1813, aged 66 years.
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The body of the church is 100 feet in diameter, and the total length,
including the entrance and vestibule, 160 feet. The building is of fine
Grinshill stone, and was designed by Mr. George Steuart, of London. It
was commenced March 2d, 1790, and consecrated August 20th, 1792, and will
comfortably accommodate a congregation of about 2300 persons. The total
cost, including site, organ, bells, &c. was £19,352, of which £15,800 was
raised under act of parliament.
The steeple is 150 feet in height, and contains a full and melodious peal
of twelve bells; the weight of the tenor being 2 tons 1 cwt. and measures
16 ft. 6 in. in circumference at the mouth. The balcony beneath the dome
commands a fine prospect of the town and immediate vicinity.
In the vestry is a carved statue of St. Chad in his episcopal habit,
holding a bible in his right hand and a crosier in his left. It
originally stood upon the organ in the old church.
St. Chad’s is considered the principal church of the town; it is used on
all public occasions, and is the place where the archdeacon holds his
visitations and probat court.
A lecture is delivered here every Thursday evening, according to a
bequest of the late James Phillips, Esq. of London, who by his will
(dated 1661) devises, after the death of his wife, the rents of his
property in Three Crown Court, Southward, unto the mayor and aldermen of
this town for that purpose, and also for a lecture in the parish churches
of Oswestry, Ellesmere, and Whitchurch. This property now produces a
good revenue.
On the east side of the church is a spacious cemetery.
The living is a vicarage in the gift of the crown, being endowed in 1674,
by the benefaction of Nathaniel Tench, Esq. with “the tithes of corn and
hay of the grange of Crow Meole,” in commemoration of which the testator
directed that a sermon should be annually preached on the 6th of June.
The parish comprises nearly one-half of the town, and extends several
miles into the country, having two chapels of ease,—St. George’s
(Frankwell), and Bicton, three miles distant.