Daresbury, All Saints

There has been a church in this quiet little Cheshire village since the 12th century when the monks from nearby Norton Priory built a church here. Daresbury is situated just off the A56, one mile north from Junction 11 of the M56 and the present structure dates from 1870 but the tower is 16th century, so too is the pulpit and the wooden screen behind the altar which contain unusual grotesque carvings including a fine example of a "Green Man".

Another interesting item is in the bell tower, where on the wall there is an acrostic rhyme to the bell ringers, which is dated 1730. The initial letter of each line reading down forms the word 'DARESBURY.' The bell tower houses a peal of eight bells, which are rung each Sunday at morning and evening services. In the vestry there is a rare 18th century embroidery of the church worked on fine silk using human hair for thread.

Around the church there are many interesting stained glass windows. In the side chapel there is a beautiful window, designed by Geoffrey Webb, in memory of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by his pen name of Lewis Carroll. In 1832, the year that he was born, his father was Vicar of Daresbury and he continued in this post until his son was 11 years old. It is thought that his childhood in Daresbury was a happy one as he wrote in a poem later:

An island farm, mid seas of corn,
Swayed by the wandering breath of morn,
The happy spot where I was born.

The window features the author and many of the characters from 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'.

The church is easily accessible for wheelchairs and volunteer guides are on duty each Saturday and Sunday afternoons from Easter to November.

Postcode: WA4 4AE

Website: www.daresburycofe.org.uk

Opening Times
Daily, 9am to dusk throughout the year.

Telephone: 01925 740 348

Service Times

Sunday	9am	Holy Communion
	10.30am	Parish Communion/Family Service
	6.30pm	Evensong