St Mary's and St Michael's Church, Burleydam

St Mary's and St Michael's Church is a Georgian-era structure built from red brick with symmetrical proportions and decorative buttresses topped by cone-shaped finials along its western side. The building was enlarged in 1886 with the addition of new transepts and a chancel, expanding its capacity for worship.

The church was founded in 1769 by the Cotton family of Combermere Abbey to serve their rural estate. The site gained literary attention when the writer Samuel Johnson visited in July 1774 and recorded observations about its appearance and furnishings.

The church reflects the role of the Cotton family as patrons of local worship, with furnishings and décor that display the tastes of the gentry who shaped the parish. Visitors today can observe how the space was designed to serve both as a spiritual center and a statement of family influence in the rural community.

The site is accessible by road and hosts regular Anglican services as part of a combined benefice with neighboring churches in the Chester diocese. The building remains an active place of worship, so visiting outside service times is recommended to observe the interior without disrupting any gatherings.

The cast iron railings and gates at the entrance came originally from Llewenny Hall in Wales before being relocated here and later receiving Grade II protection status. This unexpected connection to another historic property across Britain adds an unusual layer to the site's story.

Location: Dodcott cum Wilkesley

Inception: 1886

Architectural style: Georgian architecture

Website: http://wrenburychurch.org.uk/st-mary-and-michaels-burleydam

GPS coordinates: 52.97910,-2.58700

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:07