Group Of 3 Gravestones In The Old Graveyard

This group of three gravestones is located on the south side of the site of the old church in Chapel Allerton. They date from the late 17th century and early 18th century and are made of gritstone. The gravestones are small, shaped headstones. From east to west, the first is a round-arched headstone inscribed: "HERE L(IETH)/ HINTERRED/ THE BODY OF MARY/ SEDGFIELD WIFE OF/ WILLIAM SEDGFIELD/ WHO DEPARTED THIS/ LIFE JANUARY THE 9th/ (ANNO) DOMINI 1725." The second is a cyma-moulded headstone with incised scrolls, reading: "HERE LIETH /INTERRED THE/ BODY OF THOMAS/ HOLBERRY/ WHO DEPARTED/ THIS LIFE NOVEMBER THE/ (...)th ANNO DOMi 1729." The third headstone has a cyma-moulded top and states: "HERE/ LIETH INTERRED/ THE BODY OF SARAH/ WIFE OF WILLIAM/ HODGHON WHO DIED/ AUGUST THE 7th 1730." The stones feature deeply carved and finely ornamented lettering typical of their period, representing some of the earliest marked burials from the setting of the medieval chapel.

Historically, the chapel became the Church of St Matthew in the mid-18th century, was enlarged in 1819 and again in 1840, had a clock, spire, and bells added in 1854, was repaired and extended in 1865, and was replaced by the present church in 1898. The original building was demolished in 1935. Notably, a Roman altar was discovered in the northern part of the graveyard in 1879.