Church Of St Oswald

Church of St Oswald is a chapel dating back to 1269. The main structure, comprising the nave and chancel, was probably built in the late 14th and 15th centuries. The aisles were altered and reroofed in 1852 by A. Salvin, and the west tower likely originates from 1582, though it appears somewhat earlier. The church is constructed of Alderley sandstone and features an oak-framed nave, chancel, aisles with east chapels, and a tower.

The tower is a three-stage crenellated structure with diagonal buttresses. It includes an oak west door, a Y-traceried two-light west window, three-light mullioned windows to the bell-ringers' chamber, lozenge clock-faces on the north, west, and south faces, and Y-traceried two-light bell openings. The body of the church forms an exact rectangle, with only the tower projecting. The nave and aisles were originally under a single roof until 1852, now featuring three ridges, while the chancel, chapel, and vestry have three lower roofs with mullioned windows; the exterior framing has largely been renewed, featuring substantial lozenge and chevron bracing. A gabled south porch provides access, alongside flat-ogee arched doorways to the vestry, south chapel, and north aisle. Sandstone plinths are present throughout.

Inside, the four-bay nave arcade showcases octagonal posts and capitals with three convex mouldings carrying arched braces, all of oak. The aisles are plastered and have 1852 roof structures that are lighter than the medieval nave. The chancel, spanning two bays, has chamfered posts and arch-braced trusses. The Shakerley Chapel is located to the south (dating to 1610), and the Holford Chapel to the north (now used as an organ chamber and vestry). There are restored parclose screens with moulded posts and vase splat balusters, as well as a restored chancel screen. A 17th-century altar table and altar rail remain, along with 17th-century oak pews; those in the south aisle and east of the north door have half doors to retain rushes on the floor. A 14th-century oak chest is found in the south aisle. The simple round font was likely brought from Norton Priory in 1322; accompanying bread shelves date to 1720 and 1739. A pulpit and lectern were added in 1853. Memorial glass, primarily from the 1890s, is also present, alongside a charity board in the tower. The church has two bells from around 1541, four bells dating to 1610, two added in 1853, and a clock with chimes installed in 1897. Monuments commemorate Sir Geoffrey Shakerley (1696) and Katharine Shakerley (1725). The interior is notable for its altered medieval oak-framed structure and its 17th-century furnishings.