St. Chads church Shrewsbury

The round church St. Chad's always decked with festive trees at Christmas

A Georgian design but not in the traditional sense

The Old St. Chad’s church dedicated to St. Chad, the first Bishop of Mercia 7th Century collapsed in 1788 as predicted by Thomas Telford, the industrial engineer. It was rebuilt on a new site on the derelict town wall by the Scottish architect George Stueart, who also designed Attingham Park one of my favourite places to go in Shropshire. 

Stueart submitted various designs, and although the Parochial Church Council preferred a rectangular one, 'due to a misunderstanding’ he actually completed a circular plan that had been considered but rejected. Stones from old St Chad’s were used as foundations and the foundation stone was laid on St Chad’s Day, 2 March 1790. Classical Ionic, Doric and Corinthian architectural styles contrast with designs influenced by the industrial revolution.  A sweeping double staircase in the entrance and delicate banisters and slender pillars supporting a gallery resemble the type of design that maybe found in a country house in this period.

 Charles Darwin was baptized in this church 15 November 1809.

I took these picture with a Samyang 1.2 - 14mm lens and after using the Canon L series find ithe results disappointing. I am yet to find out if it is me or the lens!