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The present fabric in its oldest parts was built about 1245 when it was a through church under one continuous nave and chancel roof with narrow side aisles and a detached tower. The tower becoming ruinous was rebuilt in 1533 by John Talbot of Grafton. The chancel and vestry were rebuilt in 1888-89 conforming to the early plan.
The church consists of a broad nave with a chancel of similar width and narrow side aisles. The arcades are of four pointed arches rising octagonal piers with good caps. The first arch of the arcades nearest the tower is loftier than the others and the supporting pier has octagonal responds with elaborate capitals. This is accounted for by the builders of the tower in 1533 deciding to link up with the nave arcade. In the east window of five lights the early mullions are of interest. This example is one of the earliest and best windows of its period in Cheshire.
The design of the body of the church is distinctly east Cheshire, the aisle walls with small three-light, square headed windows, the valls without battlement parapets, the roof over sailing them with deep eaves. The clerestory is also low and has five small square-headed two-light windows on either side.
When the chancel was largely rebuilt in 1888 a chancel arch dividing the choir from the nave was erected in place of the timber and plaster tympanum which reached to the roof over the rood screen.
In 1710 the royal arms and one table of the decalogue were painted on the plastered surface in accordance with the custom of the imes. Although the tympanum has gone, the magnificent rood screen remains with delicate vaulting spreading out like lace; the screen mullions too are lovely.
Eddie the Priest
Near the Mallory window is a modern one to the memory of a member of the Galloway family, who formerly lived in the parish. Its subject is unusual and depicts the legend of Eddie the Priest of St. Wilfrid (to whom Mobberley Church is dedicated), as set to verse by Rudyard Kipling.
Portrayed in the very lifelike stained glass, Eddie, who had ordered a Midnight Service, finding that not a single individual put in an appearance save an Ox and an Ass, takes the service and preaches to the pair who are shown in the picture.
Guardian of Past and Present
An ancient Parish Church is permeated with and is the guardian of much of the history of the community. Its beauty and historical links make it a treasured possession. The vital element about the Church is that it is the centre of the worshipping community today. St. Wilfrid’s Parish Church maintains the traditional Services of the Church of England. Every parishioner and every visitor is warmly welcomed to all the Services and the notice board adjacent to the Lychgate gives full information.
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