St Chad's Church, Claughton

St Chad's Church is a Gothic Revival church building in Claughton with walls of red sandstone and a slate roof. The structure has a simple single-cell design combining the nave and chancel, pierced by multiple mullioned windows that let light into the interior.

The original church foundation dates back nearly 900 years to around 1070, while the present building was constructed in 1815 in the Gothic Revival style. Substantial renovations between 1904 and 1906 by architects Sharpe, Paley and Austin strengthened and updated the interior and structural elements.

The name honors Saint Chad, an early Christian missionary whose veneration shaped this region's spiritual life. Inside, a coat of arms tablet from 1602 reflects the Crofts family's steadfast Catholic faith during a time when such devotion carried personal risk.

The building has been closed to visitors since 2002 due to structural repair needs and is Grade II listed, which protects its historic status. You can view the exterior architecture from outside, and local information sources can provide details about its past and heritage significance.

Inside the building hangs a bell dated to 1296 that researchers identify as among the oldest dated bells still remaining in England. This artifact connects visitors directly to medieval times and demonstrates the long continuity of religious practice in this location.