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The misericords and history of Bebington,

St Andrew’s.

St Andrew’s, Bebington has five, 15th century misericords.

History of St Andrew’s, Bebington, Cheshire.

St Andrew’s was built on a pre-Christian circular burial mound, the boundary of which is still in evidence from the bend in the road around the churchyard wall.  At some point in either the late  9th or early 10th century the locals were converted to Christianity, and as has happened so often, the previous place of worship was re-used.  Worship was originally in the open air, and later in a wooden church.  Early in the 11th century, a Storeton stone church was erected, some of  the stone from this church was re-used in the south wall of the Norman church.

The Norman church was created as a nave church only, According to the mason’s marks, the tower was started in 1300 and took 50 years to complete.  During the 14th century a three bay chancel was added, and the south aisle was widened.

At some point in the 15th century, the  five misericords were added and although these were in the choir they have since been moved so that now only 3 are in the chancel, whilst the other 2 are are against the west wall of the nave.

The 16th century saw yet more re-modelling, when the local abbot tried to keep some of the abbey’s wealth out of Henry VIII’s hands, by spending on the church., this in the long run was unsuccessful.  Beginning at the east end, the church was transformed into the perpendicular style, however with the dissolution of the monasteries, funding dried up, and work was not re-commenced until 1847, when the north arcade was re-made in Norman style and the removal of two wooden galleries.

The Official St Andrew’s Bebington website.

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