St James the Great

Then look upwards to marvel the 500 year old roofs. The nave roof, barrel beam in design and unique to the Diocese of Chester, shows considerable traces of its original brilliant colouring and gilt. Whilst the chancel roof which was never painted, has an arch camber beam and with rare panelled sections. Both roofs are of exceptional beauty of design and a marvel to see.

The chancel screen stands on the site of the original rood screen and was erected in 1893 to replace a medieval screen. Cross figures were added over the screen in 1978. 

The church has many monuments in memory of the Fitton family, who owned the baronetcy of Gawsworth from 1617. Situated in the sanctuary are the tombs of four generations of the family, standing on each side of the altar. The oldest monument is an alabaster table tomb commemorating Francis Fitton, Knight, who was buried in Gawsworth in 1608. It is the earliest example of Renaissance work in Cheshire and is complete with a splendid effigy, interesting armorial bearings, and the representation of a headless skeleton in a shroud.

Also worth a mention is the fine memorial to Sir Edward Fitton the 5th, the second and last baronet (1603-1643) and his wife Jane. The small figure is that of their daughter, Margaret, who died in 1631 at the age of seven. Sir Edward, who was the last of the 'Fighting Fittons' was a soldier who distinguished himself in the Civil War in the Royalist cause and died at the siege of Bristol in 1643.  

There are too many memorials to include here but one of interest is the effigy of Mary Fitton, the alleged dark lady of Shakespeare’s Sonnets, and a Maid of Honour to Queen Elizabeth I.