OUR PARISH

Moreton is a rural parish and includes the scattered settlements of Moreton, Outwoods, Wilbrighton, Great Chatwell and Bromstead.  It lies within the boundaries of the civil parish of Gnosall from which it is separated by about three miles.  Housing in the parish varies from farmsteads to cottages and more modern housing as well as nearly completed barn conversions giving a total of around 390 inhabitants.  Nowadays there is no shop, public house or school and therefore children are taken by bus to Church Eaton for primary education and secondary aged pupils attend grammar and comprehensive schools in Stafford and Newport.  The church suffers from the lack of a direct school connection.  Medical care is available in Gnosall and Newport.  Many people commute from the villages to work although there are several working farms and other businesses within the area.

THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH

Until some 2½ years ago the parish was a joint benefice with Bradley and Church Eaton.  As part of Stafford Deanery’s pastoral reorganisation scheme Moreton was transferred to Eccleshall Deanery and became joined with Gnosall where the present vicarage is sited. There are about 40 people on the Electoral Roll with weekly congregations between 12-18 people.  The very good community spirit in the villages benefits the church on the special occasions such as Christmas, Easter and Harvest when congregations can rise to 80 plus. Our regular Sunday service is BCP Holy Communion at 9am.  A significant number of the congregation read lessons and act as sidesmen and women and many villagers, not just church members, provide altar flowers. There is a family type service for the second Sunday in the month at 10am in the Millennium Centre to allow access for the disabled and those who preferred a less formal atmosphere. This service provides an opportunity for parishioners to enjoy social interchange after the service with coffee and biscuits.

OUR CHURCH

St Mary’s Church was completed in 1838, a Neo Norman church with a stunted ‘Italianesque’ tower and a remarkably long chancel. The East window was presented as a gift to the church in 1945 along with a number of other gifts such as the vestry screen and the pulpit.  There is a modern electronic organ and we have an accomplished organist who lives in the parish and gives his services freely. A carillon of 6 bells is played by a few members of the congregation. There remains one of three original galleries which are used during special services and on those occasions the church can seat between 90-100 people.

St Mary’s stands on a high tump with steep steps and slopes to the road at both entrances and is therefore difficult for disabled access.  A handrail was provided in 2004 and a hearing loop is installed within the church. The building is open seven days a week during daylight hours. The church looks impressive from all areas of the village and particularly so when it is floodlit during the Christmas period.