Church Of St Mary

This is a large and complete church of the post-Reformation period. The tower dates to the mid-15th century, while the rest of the church was likely built in the 16th century, possibly later in the 16th century. It underwent restorations in 1855 by Salvin and in 1877 by Douglas, who added a porch and vestry. The church is constructed of ashlar red sandstone with a Welsh slate roof.

The church comprises a five-bay nave and chancel, with north and south aisles sharing roofs of parallel ridges at almost the same height. A south porch, vestry, and a four-stage west tower complete the structure. The south aisle features a moulded plinth, cill band, cornice, and an embattled parapet, with bays divided by buttresses. The gabled south porch has a moulded four-centred arched entrance on colonnettes with a label mould terminating in carved head stops; the gable features a figure of Christ and an inscription. Broad four-centred arched four-light aisle windows have minimal cavetto moulded tracery. East, south, and nave windows are five-light with uncusped panel tracery. The north aisle, while more austere than the south aisle and seemingly added later, includes a priest's door. The west tower is characterized by diagonal buttresses and bands at each floor, a band of cross motifs below the parapet with gargoyles, and an embattled parapet. A sharply pointed arch frames the restored west door, and a similar restored three-light window illuminates the west facade. The top stage has louvred bell openings. The south side displays the Warburton arms.

Inside, continuous five-bay arcades run through the nave and chancel, without a defined chancel arch. The arcades feature octagonal piers with broad four-centred arches. The piers in the north aisle are thinner and differ in capital design from those in the chancel and south aisle. Nave roof trusses are sprung from stone corbels and are arch-braced with two diagonal struts, including two dormers with three semicircular headed lights. The south aisle has a flat ceiling constructed of moulded wooden cross beams, which is a 19th-century restoration. The north aisle has a very low-pitched, panelled ceiling with deeply moulded members. Screen partitions in the north aisle chapel feature fielded panels and a turned column balustrade above. The Wilbraham chapel in the south aisle includes a similar parclose screen and balustrade, but its chapel screen has plank and moulded muntin panelling. A fine communion rail dating to 1709 is composed of twisted balusters, and a reredos incorporates reset linenfold panelling taken from Dutton Old Hall. A good 18th-century brass chandelier illuminates the chancel. The simple octagonal font sits upon a plain column and is covered by an ornate Jacobean wooden cover featuring eight brackets and a tall finial.

The manor of Weaverham was held for 250 years by Vale Royal Abbey, and the church was likely rebuilt after the Dissolution by the new manorial owners.