St Michael and All Angels, stands on a small rise overlooking Big Mere in the village of Marbury, Cheshire East. The church is a Grade II* listed building. (
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St Michael's is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester and the deanery of Malpas. Its benefice is combined with those of St Chad, Tushingham, and St Mary, Whitewell.
A timber, wattle and daub church was present on the site in 1299. The current church dates from the 15th century, the first incumbent being registered in 1530. The church was a parochial chapel annexed to Whitchurch until 1870, when it became a perpetual curacy.
The chancel was added in 1822 by Sir Jeffry Wyatville.
In 1891–92, the church was restored by Douglas and Fordham, the organ chamber was added, the plaster roof was replaced with carved oak panelling, and oak furnishings were added.
The church is built in red sandstone with a slate roof. Its plan consists of a tower at the west end, a three-bay nave with a clerestory, north and south aisles, a chancel with vestry to the north, and a south porch.
It has two string courses which are decorated with carvings of animals and flowers and there are many gargoyles depicting images such as monkeys, twins, smiling faces and grotesque faces on the exterior of the church.
The Sundial.
This new slate sundial was added to the south wall of the church to celebrate the 2000 Millennium.
"In the year 2000AD many sundials were made, this shield shaped Millennium Dial over the vestry porch, is as good as any. The hours shown are British Summer Time (BST). They are also corrected for the longitude of Marbury, sundial time in Marbury being approx. 9 minutes slow of Greenwich time. There is an explanation displayed in the church porch. Gold furniture on grey ground. Dial mounted on existing stone panel of same size. One of the best dials in Cheshire.
Designed by parishoner and former Whitchurch GP Dr William E Flewett; made by E J Edgerton & Son of Bradenheath, Whitchurch." Source: (
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The original sundial can be seen inside the church mounted on the wall near to the pulpit. It has the names of church wardens and the date 1762 inscribed at the top.