About Us
For more than eight centuries St Chad’s Church has occupied its prime position on Stafford’s high street. Behind what appears as a largely Victorian exterior lies a rich heritage of twelfth-century architecture and sculpture that place St Chad’s amongst the finest examples of Norman architecture in the Midlands. The stone carvings include fantastic animal and human figures that dance around the chancel arch; abstract patterns; and the ubiquitous ‘Green Man’, who has both Christian and Pagan associations.
Early twentieth-century furnishings of exceptional quality, such as the painted and gilded altarpiece by Sir Walter Tapper (1861-1935), well known for his work at York Minster; and the towering font-cover by Sir Charles Nicholson (1867-1949), one of the most inventive architects of the early 1900s complement the Medieval architecture and sculptures.
St Chads’s continues as an active church, offering traditional worship in a distinctive style. The principal Sunday service is a sung Mass at 11am, with music led by a versatile four part choir. For further details of services and activities visit www.stchadsstafford.co.uk
St Chad’s is also part of the Stafford Heritage scene; our Heritage Project, launched in 2006, was designed to promote the heritage and spiritual tradition of the Church by presenting the history of the building in new and exciting ways and forges closer links with the wider community. A substantial grant from the heritage lottery fund enabled the installation of the ‘TIMEWALK’ – the first compuer generated sound and light show to be intsalled in an English Parish Church. Using dramatic lighting and sound effects, narrative and drama, the programme presents an 850 year history of the church and its links with the community.
‘TIMEWALK’ is run on Saturday afternoons at 2.30pm (admission £3.00, concessions £2.00). Group bookings are welcome and can be made for a time to suit the organisation concerned.
A new full colour guidebook – Stafford’s Hidden Gem – was launched in March 2010 and is available at a price of £2.50 from the Church, The Ancient High House and Waterstones bookshop.
Opening Hours
St Chad’s is normally open to visitors:
Tuesdays 9.30am – 12noon – Mass is at 10am.
Thursdays 11am – 1pm
Friday 11am – 1pm – Mass is at 12.30pm
Saturday 10.30am – 2.30pm
Guided tours can be arranged by prior appointment. | 
