Saint Alkmund's Church — Attraction in Stafford

There has been a Church here on this site since Saxon times . The original sadly now gone thought to have been founded by Aethelflaed the renowned daughter of Alfred the Great and Lady of the Mercians . How cool founders don't come much better than that ! The Church has been rebuilt several times the oldest part today being the 184 foot 15th century spire . Which can be seen from all around . The nave and chancel were designed by John Carline and built by 1795 . Be prepared when you walk in or the beauty of the East Window by Francis Eginton of Handsworth will knock you off your feet . It is stunning . A portrayal of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with a theme of Hope . God knows we need some of that today . At a cost of £200 it is copied from a painting by Guido Reni now in Munich . It really is a glorious sight . St Alkmund himself originally was buried in Shropshire before being moved at a later date to Derby . His sarcophagus can be seen at Derby...

Dedicated to the 8th century Northumbrian prince, St Alkmund's Church occupies the highest point in Shrewsbury. Prior to the Norman invasion in 1066, the Saxon occupants of Shrewsbury held the King's Market around St Alkmund's Church. Nothing remains of that Saxon church, the current structure is a mix of 15th century Perpendicular and 17th century Georgian engineering. The 56 metre tower and spire dates back to 1475. The medieval nave and chancel were demolished and rebuilt by John Carline in 1788, faring a similar collapse to the one at Old St Chad's. The resulting Gothic Revival structure was light, airy and very impressive. Much stained glass was added at this time, as well as a decorated plaster roof. The Victorians later covered the ceiling with the present timbers are the plaster was ambitiously unsupported. As a result of this, the current church has outstanding acoustics and is often used as a...

Visited St Alkmunds Church after going to Fish Street . There are steps from the lower Fish Street but you can approach the church from Butcher Row and then a path from At Alkmonds Place. There are two sets of short steps upto the church door both have wooden ramps and hand rails to give access for the less mobile.

A set of chains drops down in the open door way which can look a bit like bars from a distance.

On entering a large body of the church is in front with pews either side of the central apse.

On the rear left hand side is very interesting display of the history of...