About Us

Who we are

St. Mary's and St. Luke's are part of the Church of England in the Diocese of Chester.

​<span style="font-size: 1rem;">We serve the communities of Wistaston, </span>Rope<span style="font-size: 1rem;"> and Willaston in South Cheshire, UK. We have two places of worship, the parish church of St. Mary's in Church Lane, </span>Wistaston<span style="font-size: 1rem;"> and St. Luke's in Coppice Road, Willaston.</span>

What we believe

We believe and trust in one God, Father Son and Holy Spirit. Belief in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit is at the heart of our faith. Christians believe that Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus reveals to us that God is our Father, and that God is available to us through the Holy Spirit.

'The most important decision any person can ever make is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. It’s the best thing anyone can do.' Archbishop Justin Welby

Lots of further information about the Christian faith can be found at www.rejesus.co.uk

What we do

We aim to help people to discover the Christian faith for themselves and assist with those big moments in life. To this end we hold an annual Marriage Preparation course, a monthly Baptism Preparation and other activities to help people discover the Christian Faith. We can provide bible reading notes or copies of our parish magazine (these are available on this website). We also have a Mothers' Union, a Ladies Afternoon Group and a Men's Fellowship Group. For younger people we have a lively Junior Church, and for the even younger preschool children we have Stepping Stones.

Our History

There has been a church or chapel on or near this present site for nearly 700 years, the first record of a Rector goes back to 1379 and the first church would have been a black & white building made of wood.

Existing records start in 1572 probably resulting from Cromwell's edict that churches kept records. That first re-build took place probably on the site of the existing church and almost certainly did not alter until 1827. In that year the decision was taken that 'due to decay it was unsuitable for public worship'. It was also resolved to take down that building and erect a new church, the estimated cost of the new 'barnlike building' was £1,038.The bricks used were quarried and made locally. The new church was consecrated in July 1828 and the church wardens of the day were faced with High Court writs and threatened with loss of their property to meet the debts incurred though this was settled when the parish agreed to underwrite the costs.

The next major alteration came 50 years later when the Chancel was extended and the Vestry and South Transept were built. At this time the old north door was closed and a new entrance created at the west end of the church. In 1905 the Choir Vestry was added and this is what the building still looks like today.

The church continues to be a part of the life of Wistaston today through it’s people and the many different activities that happen in and through it.