St James' and St Paul's Church, Marton

St James’ and St Paul’s Church stands south of Marton village in Cheshire, a timber-framed building first founded in the 14th century. It is listed Grade I and belongs to the Diocese of Chester within the Archdeaconry of Macclesfield. The benefice is shared with three nearby parishes, and the church appears in Alan Garner’s novel Strandloper. Only a handful of similar timber-framed churches survive in Europe, making this one of the oldest. Other examples nearby include Lower Peover and Baddiley. The church was endowed in 1343 by Sir John de Davenport and his son Vivian, with further land added in 1370. Restorations in the 19th century by J. M. Derick and William Butterfield changed windows and timbers, while a brick chancel extension was added later. Medieval wall paintings were uncovered in 1930 beneath layers of plaster. Two 14th-century stone effigies in the belfry may represent the Davenports themselves. The oldest bell bears the date 1598, and the parish registers begin in 1563. Inside, octagonal timber piers support the nave and aisles, and an 1894 organ by A. Worral stands in the chancel. The west wall holds faded medieval paintings of the Last Judgement, with Christ and the Virgin Mary among the figures. An 18th-century oil painting of Moses and Aaron hangs in the church, and a wooden ladder leads to the bell-ringing platform. Outside, a 14th- or 15th-century cross and two First World War graves mark the churchyard.