St Alkmund's Church

The accepted date of the foundation of the church, named for Alcmund of Derby, is 912, by tradition by Queen Æthelflæd, who is understood to have translated the relics of St Alcmund to Shrewsbury around the same time. On 31 July 1711, the central tower of the medieval church, which dated from the 15th century, collapsed and the church had to be completely rebuilt. The foundation stone was laid on 27 March 1712 and the new church was consecrated on 8 October 1712. It was built by mason William Smith of Tettenhall to the designs of John Barker (1668–1727) of Rowsley. In 1900–02, the brick internal walls were refaced with stone and the apse was redecorated. The porch was rebuilt in 1925. The…

The aisles are divided from the nave by an arcade of Tuscan columns and round arches. At the west end is a gallery which is supported by a pair of unfluted wooden Doric columns. Below the gallery is a triptych form war memorial to parish men who died serving in World War I, with mosaic of St Michael in the centre panel, dedicated by the parents of Lieutenant Thomas Chesters Bowler who is among those listed on the outer panels. The ground floor of the tower is used as a vestry. At the east end of the south aisle is the Lady Chapel which is entered through an oak screen. In the chapel is a Jacobean communion table with a 19th-century marble top. The 19th-century red sandstone reredos has…