3rd August 1929 SA

MURAL PAINTINGS IN SANDON CHURCH

Interesting Discoveries During Renovations

In the course of repair-work which is being carried out in the chancel of Sandon Church, near Stafford, which dates from the 13th century, some ancient mural paintings were discovered when the plaster on the walls was removed. The paintings are mainly armorial bearings of the Erdeswicke family and their inter-marriages. In spite of the ill-treatment which the paintings received, apparently when the plaster was applied, the colouring and gilding are well preserved in parts. It is hoped that a restoration to some extent may be possible, after inspection by an expert. A party of members of the Old Stafford Society visited the Church on Wednesday and were much interested in the paintings. The pulpit and sounding board in the church are fine specimens of Jacobean work; and there are four altar tombs in the chancel, as well as the imposing monument to Sampson Erdeswick, the Staffordshire historian, who erected it some two years before his death. It is generally admitted to be more massive than beautiful.

The itinerary of the visitors also included Weston and Ingestre churches. St. Andrew’s, at Weston, is chiefly Early English, the tower being one of the finest in the neighbourhood with beautiful belfry windows and arcading. Some of the windows in the chancel contain ancient glass said to have been brought here from S. Thomas’ Priory, at the dissolution of the religious houses.

Ingestre present church was built on the site of an old Norman church which was much mutilated by the Roundhead soldiers in the Civil War. They are alleged to have stabled their horses in the church. It was re-built in the Classical Style by Walter Chetwynd in 1676. Sir Christopher Wren was the architect and the beautiful carving was the work of the famous Grinling Gibbons. There are some fine monuments to members of the Chetwynd and Shrewsbury families—one or two of which are the work of the great sculptor, Chantrey.

From Ingestre the party proceeded to Great Haywood where tea was taken at the Clifford Arms. Hearty votes of thanks were proposed to the Vicar of Sandon for conducting the party over his church, and to the Churchwardens of Weston and Ingestre who did the same at their respective churches.

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