Church of St. Mary, Everton

St Mary’s Church, a Grade I listed building in Everton, has been described as late Norman and unusually complete. The south doorway arch has early English features, dating it to about 1175, but the arcades inside the nave of the church are thought to be earlier.

The tower dates to the 14th Century and once had three stages, but the top stage collapsed in 1974 following a lightning strike. The second stage now has a modern parapet and corner pinnacles topped with weather vanes.

The perpendicular features in the church, which include the south porch, windows in the chancel, the chancel arch to the nave, and corbels supporting the nave roof, are all dated to the 15th Century.

The church and rectory were sold to Clare College Cambridge by Henry Vlll on 23rd June 1544.

In the nave by the chancel arch and above the pulpit is an impressive alabaster and coloured marble monument to Sir Humphrey Winch (1555-1625). Sir Humphrey was a respected judge in the reign of James I rising to the title of Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.

The parish’s most famous rector was John Berridge, an early Methodist leader who preached here between 1755 and 1793.

The church, which is located in Church End, Everton is immediately next to the route of the GSRW.