St Oswald's Church, Winwick to open doors for Heritage Weekend

St Oswald’s Church, in Winwick, just over the border from Newton-le-Willows, will open its doors to visitors at a heritage weekend on September 9 and 10. The event is to be opened by the Bishop of Warrington, the Rt Rev Beverley Mason at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 9.

The church will celebrate 1,000 years of history with exhibitions and displays dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. Its ancient treasures and architecture reflect the Norman, Tudor and civil war eras of the region.

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During the civil war battles were fought on land near to the church which was used for a prison for defeated cavalier soldiers and a shelter for Cromwell’s troops.

In more recent history it was the setting for the marriage of the future captain of the world famous Titanic ship, Edward John Smith, who married a local farmer’s daughter Sarah Eleanor Pennington, of Woodhead, Winwick, in January 1887.

Captain Smith (Image: Submitted)

A copy of the couple’s marriage certificate will be on display at the church along with a British Titanic Society exhibition of items from the ship.

Other exhibits will include a collection of historic eccliastical items, items from an archeological dig at a nearby farm, a collection from the White Star line and a host of other items of interest.

The Bishop will be meeting children of St Oswald’s Primary school and unveiling a tableau of art work produced by the pupils following their recent visit to the church.

The heritage weekend opening hours will be: 

Saturday, September 9: 11 a m. to 4p.m.

Sunday, September 10: noon to 4 p.m.

Admission is free.