THE OLD - Old Wirral.com

THE OLD CHURCHES OF WIRRAL
the Stanley's of Hooton, and since made
over by them to the parish with reservation
of the right of burial there. The
nave was also frequently lengthened to
accommodate more people. In such case
the extension was generally towards the
west rather than towards the east, probably
so as to provide a baptistery. In
Wirral the position of the western towers
has prevented this, and most of our
churches show a lateral extension by
means of aisles, or an enlargement of the
chancel. This latter has happened at
Bebington where the chancel is much
later than the south aisle. Alterations
of this kind were, of course, lengthy
undertakings and, as services could not
be interrupted, means had to be found
for the congregation still to enter the
building, and for building materials to be
transported to and from the
alterations. In the chancel
site
of
of the
Lower
Bebington church, at the north side of
the altar, stands a small blocked-up door-
way, the origin of which is obscure. It
is possible that this was a passage way
for the workmen when the chancel was
being built. A som.ewhat similar blocked
doorway exists on the north side of the
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