Holy Ascension Church, Upton by Chester

The Holy Ascension Church is a Gothic Revival church built from red sandstone, featuring a three-stage tower supported by diagonal buttresses and topped by a spire with small windows and a plain parapet. The structure was constructed in the mid-19th century and later enlarged with additional sections.

Architect James Harrison designed the building, which was constructed between 1853 and 1854, making it an example of Victorian religious architecture. Decades later, transepts were added in the 1950s and 1960s to provide more space for the expanding congregation.

The church houses stained glass windows by Kempe, a renowned Victorian artist whose works date from 1883 and 1885. These windows shape the interior light and show the craftsmanship that mattered to the community.

The church sits on Church Lane and is regularly open to visitors, with services held on several days each week. The grounds are visible from outside at any time, and the red sandstone and tower details are easy to spot.

The churchyard contains war graves from two world wars, with British soldiers and service members buried from different periods. These quiet memorials are often overlooked even though they preserve an important part of local history.

Location: Upton-by-Chester

Inception: 1967

Architects: James Harrison

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Made from material: red sandstone

Website: http://achurchnearyou.com/upton-holy-ascension

GPS coordinates: 53.21570,-2.88790

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:20