Saint Werburgh’s Catholic Church, Chester
Saint Werburgh’s Catholic Church is a prominent Roman Catholic parish church located on Grosvenor Park Road in Chester. The church, part of the Diocese of Shrewsbury, holds a Grade II designation in the National Heritage List for England, emphasizing its architectural and historical significance.
This church is distinct from the medieval Benedictine Abbey of Saint Werburgh, now Chester Cathedral. It originated as a smaller Queen Street building in 1799. The current structure, designed by Edmund Kirby, was built in 1873–1875. Cardinal Manning celebrated the first Mass on Christmas Day 1875, and it officially opened with a Pontifical High Mass on 13 July 1876, Chester's first in 300 years.
Although the original plans envisioned a large steeple, it was never built. A narthex, also designed by Kirby, was added in 1913–14. In 2002, the church underwent reordering and was rededicated in May by Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, marking the first visit of a cardinal to Chester in over a century.
Architecturally, Saint Werburgh’s is constructed in buff sandstone with grey slate roofs, featuring a reversed orientation with the altar positioned at the west end. The church’s French Gothic style is highlighted by lancet windows, gabled porches, and buttresses. The symmetrical east entrance showcases a pair of doors beneath a statue of Saint Werburgh flanked by lancet windows, while the clerestory features 15 lancet windows on each side.
Inside, alternating round and octagonal piers support the arcades. Notable features include a pulpit from 1895, a hanging rood cross from 1933, and stained glass windows by Hardman (1927) and Trena Cox (1936). The original organ, built in 1882 by Wadsworth and Brothers, was replaced in 2004 by a three-manual organ by J.J. Binns, originally from Crosshill Queens Park Church, Glasgow.
Saint Werburgh’s Catholic Church stands as a testament to Chester’s rich ecclesiastical heritage and continues to serve as a center of worship and community for its parishioners.
This church is distinct from the medieval Benedictine Abbey of Saint Werburgh, now Chester Cathedral. It originated as a smaller Queen Street building in 1799. The current structure, designed by Edmund Kirby, was built in 1873–1875. Cardinal Manning celebrated the first Mass on Christmas Day 1875, and it officially opened with a Pontifical High Mass on 13 July 1876, Chester's first in 300 years.
Although the original plans envisioned a large steeple, it was never built. A narthex, also designed by Kirby, was added in 1913–14. In 2002, the church underwent reordering and was rededicated in May by Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, marking the first visit of a cardinal to Chester in over a century.
Architecturally, Saint Werburgh’s is constructed in buff sandstone with grey slate roofs, featuring a reversed orientation with the altar positioned at the west end. The church’s French Gothic style is highlighted by lancet windows, gabled porches, and buttresses. The symmetrical east entrance showcases a pair of doors beneath a statue of Saint Werburgh flanked by lancet windows, while the clerestory features 15 lancet windows on each side.
Inside, alternating round and octagonal piers support the arcades. Notable features include a pulpit from 1895, a hanging rood cross from 1933, and stained glass windows by Hardman (1927) and Trena Cox (1936). The original organ, built in 1882 by Wadsworth and Brothers, was replaced in 2004 by a three-manual organ by J.J. Binns, originally from Crosshill Queens Park Church, Glasgow.
Saint Werburgh’s Catholic Church stands as a testament to Chester’s rich ecclesiastical heritage and continues to serve as a center of worship and community for its parishioners.
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Saint Werburgh’s Catholic Church on Map
Sight Name: Saint Werburgh’s Catholic Church
Sight Location: Chester, England (See walking tours in Chester)
Sight Type: Religious
Sight Location: Chester, England (See walking tours in Chester)
Sight Type: Religious
Walking Tours in Chester, England
Create Your Own Walk in Chester
Creating your own self-guided walk in Chester is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chester's Black-and-white Architecture Tour
While the origins of Chester date back to Roman Times, much of the city center, and by far the greatest part of it, looks medieval. Indeed, if you visit the city, the first thing you notice is the magnificent black-and-white architecture. Despite their appearance, however, the majority of these buildings are Victorian by the time of construction.
The Black-and-White Revival was an architectural... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
The Black-and-White Revival was an architectural... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Chester Introduction Walking Tour
Chester is a walled city in Cheshire. It was originally founded in 79 AD as a Roman fort with the name Deva Victrix. It was garrisoned until the 4th century when it was abandoned by the Romans. It is thought that the area was settled by Anglo-Saxons during medieval times. It was also briefly occupied by the Danes.
Chester was very important during the Industrial Revolution. This is largely due... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Chester was very important during the Industrial Revolution. This is largely due... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Chester's City Walls
Chester City Walls are the oldest, longest and most complete (missing only just about 100 meters) historic defensive structure in Britain. Walking the full circuit of this ancient fortification provides wondrous views, wherever you choose to go, down into the city, and offers a fantastic insight into Chester's rich history.
First built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago, the Walls were... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
First built by the Romans almost 2,000 years ago, the Walls were... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles