Holy Trinity, Bickerton

St Oswald's

Chester

This ancient church is situated at the heart of the small town of Malpas. It is a fine example of medieval architecture and has witnessed to the truths of the Christian faith for over 1,000 years. The present building mainly dates from the middle of the fifteenth-century.

The church is very much involved in the life of the town and wider community, and has particularly strong links with the local junior school where the incumbent is Chair of Governors.

Worship at St Oswald’s is focused on the Eucharist; thought-through liturgy is valued and finds expression in the Book of Common Prayer and Common Worship. Over the past couple of years we have developed a very fine choral tradition as an integral part of the worship we offer.

The daily offices are said throughout the week and there is a weekday celebration of Holy Communion, and all major feast days are observed. There is a more contemplative service of evening prayer every Sunday from the Book of Common Prayer.

St John

Chester

St John’s Church, Threapwood, is located in the village of Threapwood, Cheshire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester, and the deanery of Malpas. Its benefice is combined with that of St Oswald, Malpas. The church is designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building. The authors of the Buildings of England series state that it is entirely Georgian in style. The church was built in 1815 as an extra-parochial chapel. The parish of St John’s was established in 1817.

Architecture

St John’s is a rectangular church in Georgian style. It is constructed in brick, and has a slate roof. At the west end is an open octagonal cupola. There are pedimented doorways at the west end and in the middle of the south side.

Inside the church are galleries on three sides, with the north and south galleries curving round to the west gallery. They are carried on iron columns with an iron parapet. The two chandeliers are in brass and are dated 1817. The altar rails are in iron, and are on three sides of the altar. On the two sides of the altar are box pews with brass name plates for the patrons, the Broughton and Kenyon families. The panelled timber reredos is in three parts, bearing the Lord’s Prayer and the creed to the left and the right and an extract from Exodus in a divided central panel.

External features

The gatepiers, gates, wall, piers and railings to the church are listed at Grade II. The churchyard contains the war grave of a South Wales Borderers soldier of World War I.