St Chad’s is an unusual church in that it has a circular design. The actual design was due to a misunderstanding as this plan was originally rejected in favour of a more normal rectangular one.
I was very excited on my visit to Shrewsbury last September to be able to go into the church and also be allowed access onto the upper gallery. Oddly enough, even though I lived in the town for two years I never managed to get inside this church.
The circular nave is unique, with pews arranged like a maze. The original ‘three-decker’ pulpit has been replaced by one in Arts and Crafts style in copper and brass, placed under the rim of the gallery. This opens a clearer view of the Sanctuary, which, bordered by Corinthian pilasters and columns, contains a fine reredos and a colourful window, made by the renowned Shrewsbury firm of Betton and Evans.
In the vestibule two arms of a fine staircase sweep up to the gallery. The rail is of elegant Shropshire ironwork.
TRAVEL WORDS 
Nicely rounded!
I love the idea of building a round church by mistake!! That final b&w shot is particularly elegant.
I think they ran out of time and decided just to go ahead with what they had. It is very nice and the staircase is glorious – think ‘Gone with the Wind’.
This reminds me a little of All Souls in Langham Place, London. But that only has a circular vestibule at the front. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Souls_Church,_Langham_Place
I have been to Shrewsbury a few times, but never saw that church. I must have been looking the wrong way!
Best wishes, Pete. x
It is out near the park on the town walls and contains the grave of Scrooge (from filming Christmas Carol in the town). Thanks for the link, that looks like an interesting building too.
It is right next to the BBC, where they broadcast The One Show.
What a beautiful interior. Shrewsbury is on my list of places I still want to go to on a UK visit. We spent a day there in 1999, which of course wasn’t nearly long enough. I only did the Cadfael things.
It has a lot of history, but I still prefer Ludlow 🙂
I’ll add it to my ever-growing list. 😁
Beautifully rounded and beautifully photographed. A triumphant post for a challenge. One day I may master the language of church architecture – but geology comes first!
I was delighted that the lady in the vestibule allowed us to go up those glorious stairs (they were roped off) so we could get a closer look.
Fascinating!
Interesting photos for the theme. That final staircase is stunning.
The staircase is totally unexpected to find in a church. There is another flight opposite so very appealing. I didn’t get a good enough photo of the two of them though.
Indeed, almost everything is rounded here 🙂
I love the colours, and the white, it’s unusual!
It is a most unusual church I found.
We never got round to going around it in the summer . . . what a mistake!
It’s quite unusual.