St Mary's Church, Chirk

52°56′7″N 3°5′23″W / 52.93528°N 3.08972°W / 52.93528; -3.08972CountryWalesDenominationChurch in WalesHistoryDedicationSt MaryArchitectureHeritage designationGrade IArchitectural typeChurch

St Mary's is a Grade I listed parish church in Chirk, Wrexham County Borough, Wales. It stands at the south end of the main street of Chirk, within its own graveyard, on the northern edge of the valley of the Afon Ceiriog.^[1][2] The parish is in the Mission Area of Offa in the Church in Wales Diocese of St Asaph.^[3] The church is listed on the National Monuments Record of Wales.^[4][5]

The original church, which had a similar footprint to that of the present building, was begun during the 11th century by the Normans, although it is believed that an older llan, dedicated to St Tysilio, had existed on the site.^[6] In 1519, William Edwards of New Hall extended the building by adding a nave. The tower was added to the west bay. It saw additional repairs and alterations in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. In 1828-9 the interior was remodelled, and alterations were made to the furnishings in 1877.^[2]

The church is constructed of sandstone with later buttresses. All but one of the windows are post-Norman. A 20th century stone extension is attached to the north end of the church, serving as a meeting hall.^[2] The slate roof is supported by 15th century trusses.^[2]

The walls and the roof (below the rafters) are plastered. There are three floor levels from the nave to the altar. There are carvings of animals and knights on some trusses. There is a considerable number of monuments and furnishings ranging from the 17th to 19th centuries. Most window glass is 19th or 20th century. The tower contains a ring of six bells, dated 1803 by Rudhall of Gloucester.^[2]

• Grade I listed buildings in Wrexham County Borough

• Church website
• Further historical information and links on GENUKI

Principal settlementsCommunitiesOther villages and areasUniversities and collegesBuildings and structures

Castles	Chirk Castle Holt Castle The Rofft (former)

Geography

Rivers	Alyn Cegidog Ceiriog Clywedog Dee Eitha Gwenfro Nant-y-Ffrith Wych Brook
Reservoirs and lakes	Acton Park Lake Cae Llwyd Reservoir Chirk Castle Lake Fenn's Bank Mere Gresford Flash Hanmer Mere Llyn Bedydd Monk's Pool Pant-yr-ochain Lake Penycae Top Reservoir Ty Mawr Reservoir Wynnstay Park Lake

Transport

Railway lines	Borderlands line Shrewsbury to Chester line
Former lines	Glyn Valley Tramway (re-opening proposed) Moss Valley Branch Wrexham and Ellesmere Railway Wrexham and Minera Railway Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway Croes Newydd (former) Former stations
Railway stations	Chirk railway station Gwersyllt railway station Ruabon railway station Wrexham Central railway station Wrexham General railway station Proposed stations Wrexham North railway station Wrexham South railway station

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