Heritage Centre

It was great to go to visit this church, especially as it has had two functions that we attended The Messiah and a packed evening on Friday with The Welsh Men's choir. Also, a young children's choir that was a lovely surprise. Thoroughly enjoyable evenings. It is wonderful to know that this church is welcoming in visitors for different functions as it is beautiful. Thank you.

St Oswald's Church was first mentioned by name ithe Shrewsbury Abbey records and the Domesday Book from 1086. The church escaped damage in the Welsh Wars of the 13th century but was damaged extensively during the Civil War when it was used as a stables by Parliamentary forces in the campaigns to oust Royalists from Wales. Rebuilding after this ordeal was completed in 1670. The Yale Memorial in the church, dated to 1616, is in memory of alderman Hugh Yale, who endowed Yale University in the USA. The current structure dates from reconstruction in the 19th century, though much of the tower structure remains original 13th century. The interior is impressive, almost as wide as it is long. The church features much intricate wood and stone carving as well as stained glass. The church's namesake, St Oswald was king of Northumbria in the 7th century. He was killed at the Battle of Oswestry by pagan King Penda of Mercia, on a battlefield around five hundred metres from the church. Oswestry is a corruption of Oswald's Tree, as Oswald was nailed to a tree in mock crucifixion after the battle.