A resource to support teaching and learning through buildings and places
Eccles Parish Church
The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, Eccles, has stood on the same site for at least 800 years and is therefore the oldest church in the City of Salford. As such, it is attracting an ever-increasing number of visitors who wish to share in a sense of history and also, perhaps, establish some sort of link with the thousands of people from the parish who over eight centuries have worshipped and found solace and comfort within its walls.
The Parish Church has a fascinating story to tell which is well worth following up. Our website will help you to do so by setting out chronologically the changes to the building since Norman times and showing how they fitted into the national picture.
Venue Type:
Heritage site, Sacred space
Resources listed here may include websites, bookable tours and workshops, books, loan boxes and more. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all.
Digital and online resources
Virtual Tour
http://www.ecclesparishchurch.co.uk
This is a virtual tour around the architectural features of our historic church. You can spot the medieval masons' marks, the niches designed to house statues that were smashed during the Reformation, memorials, windows, tombs, historic coats of arms, fragments of Anglo-Saxon and medieval crosses, and much more. Pop-up photographs showing different views of the church illustrate the descriptions.
How to obtain
Visit our website and click Parish Church, then Tour.
Related teaching activities
Key stage 2 geography, 1-2 lessons
Geographical enquiry and skills
What is the importance of location in the positioning of sacred places? Draw a map of your local area, indicating where the churches and other places of worship are located.
Key stage 2 history, Small project
Chronological understanding
Write an illustrated chronology of Eccles Parish Church over the past 800 years, focusing on the way the building has been shaped and influenced by historical events.
Key stage 2 maths, 1 lesson
Ma3 Shape, space and measure
Geometric shapes are versatile because they can be scaled up or down. Find examples of geometric shapes and patterns that have evolved in the building of Eccles Parish Church.
Key stage 3 art and design, 1-2 lessons
2.2 Understand and evaluate
Draw an impression of the Palm Sunday window found at Eccles Parish Church. What other events can you see depicted in the interior architecture of the building?
Key stage 3 religious studies, 1 lesson
2.1 Learning about religion
What Biblical significance can you identify in the use of symbolism in the internal space of Eccles Parish Church?
