Dave Hanmer
The Old Chancel - Rugeley
Extract from The Cannock Chase History WebSite www.cannockchasehistory.org.uk
Only the 12th century chancel and 13th century north chapel of this church, known locally as the Old Chancel, remains in good repair. Windows dating to the 16th or 17th centuries survive in the north wall of the chapel and a blocked Norman window may be seen high on the west face. The existing building is connected via an arcade on this side to a dilapidated 14th century tower with corner buttresses. The arcade, which consists of four unequal arches, is all that remains of the original 13th century nave and north aisle of the old church which was allowed to fall into ruin after the west end of the chancel building was blocked-off in the early 19th century. The religious needs of the Rugeley populace were then being served by St. Augustine's church which was built in 1822-3 on the opposite side of the road from the Old Chancel building, which was itself converted into a mortuary chapel by having its west end walled-off and allowing the (damaged?) nave and north aisle of the old church to subsequently fall into ruin.
The Old Chancel - Rugeley
Extract from The Cannock Chase History WebSite www.cannockchasehistory.org.uk
Only the 12th century chancel and 13th century north chapel of this church, known locally as the Old Chancel, remains in good repair. Windows dating to the 16th or 17th centuries survive in the north wall of the chapel and a blocked Norman window may be seen high on the west face. The existing building is connected via an arcade on this side to a dilapidated 14th century tower with corner buttresses. The arcade, which consists of four unequal arches, is all that remains of the original 13th century nave and north aisle of the old church which was allowed to fall into ruin after the west end of the chancel building was blocked-off in the early 19th century. The religious needs of the Rugeley populace were then being served by St. Augustine's church which was built in 1822-3 on the opposite side of the road from the Old Chancel building, which was itself converted into a mortuary chapel by having its west end walled-off and allowing the (damaged?) nave and north aisle of the old church to subsequently fall into ruin.