More information : [SJ 6317 5308] Church [T.U.] (1)
Aston, Church of St. Mary: the church is of very early foundation
as two priests are mentioned in the Domesday Survey (a). Early
in the 12th cent. the church and lands were given to Combermere Abbey.The church comprises a tower, built with arches leading to
the nave and side aisles, and a chancel. The lower part of the
tower is said to be 13th cent., or possibly mid. or late 12th,
(b) and the arcades 13th cent. Apart from repairs in 1757 when
the tower was blown down and 1879, the church discloses work
mainly of the Early English and Decorated periods.
At the east end of the south aisle some carved stones of the
late 11th cent. are preserved. The masonry is of a very high
order, and they are most certainly part of the original fabric.
There is a sundial in the churchyard. (2)
Acton: sundial erected upon the steps and shaft of the old
cross. It is mentioned as occupying this position in 1705. (3)
"Acton Church ... stands on a mound-like grave-yard ... Near
the south-east corner of the churchyard is a sundial cross ...
Formerly it stood on the south side of the cburch, and gave the
name, Cross Field, to land now partly built upon." [Also gives
an architectural description and notes on the ? 11th cent.
carved stones.] (4)
Note on various architectural aspects and plan of church. (5)
The church is still used for religious services.
The cross has been surveyed at SJ 6321 5308. Its original site
could not be determined and the amount of original material in
the present structure is doubtful. Only a small collar between
the head of the shaft and the sundial shows any sign of
weathering, although red-sandstone appears to have been used
throughout.
The socket stone seems to have been machine cut while the
tapering of the shaft is unusually slight for a Md. cross.
See G.P. A0/60/184/5 from the S. West. (6)
Condition unchanged. (7)
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