St Catherine

In 1840, Thomas Hibbert of Birtles New Hall, built a chapel at the entrance to his estate. The family collected valuable oak carvings, stained glass and brass from various sources. Much if this, being hundreds of years older than the building itself, gave the interior of the church a rather unique appearance.

Being at first a private chapel little is known about who undertook the task of installing the glass but experts have suggested it could have been David Evans of Shrewsbury as some of his original work is included. More recently some fine etched glass by Simon Whistler has been added as a memorial to members of the Hibbert family. Colonel Hugh Robert Hibbert succeeded his father and in 1890 generously handed over his private chapel for use as the parish church of Over Alderley & Birtles. Dedicated to St Catherine, the church was consecrated on St Matthias Day, 24th February, 1890.