Portal:Cheshire/Selected article/17

St Mary's Church, Nantwich is the Anglican parish church of the town of Nantwich. The church is built in red sandstone on a cruciform plan with an octagonal tower. Building commenced in 1340 but was interrupted in 1349–1369, probably by an outbreak of the Black Death, which has resulted in the church's style being a mix of Decorated and Perpendicular. The church was briefly used as a prison for Royalists captured at the battles of Nantwich and Preston during the English Civil War. George Gilbert Scott carried out substantial restorations in the 19th century. The interior features a stone lierne-vaulted ceiling to the choir, carved stone canopies over the sedilia in the chancel, as well as intricately carved wooden misericords and choirstall canopies.

A Grade I listed building, the church has been called the "Cathedral of South Cheshire". It is considered by some to be one of the finest medieval churches in England. Raymond Richards describes it as "one of the great architectural treasures of Cheshire" and Alec Clifton-Taylor includes it in his list of "outstanding" English parish churches.

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