The Local History Radio Series

St Chad's Church is believed to be the oldest building in Stafford Town Centre, with a history reaching back into the twelfth century, and possibly beyond.

Father Michael Fisher points to the carvings

The main part of the church is richly decorated; patterns and figures have been carved into almost every archway and pillar.

Father Michael Fisher explained that the Norman kingdoms were as far reaching as the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and this is why the stonework has a Celtic, Nordic, and Byzantine look.

It's believed that the carvings were made by a group of stonemasons from the Middle East who came to England during the Crusades.

The church is mainly built from grey sandstone quarried in Tixall, just a few miles from Stafford.

The carvings would have been made on site, and Father Fisher thinks the masons would have been allowed some creative freedom.

Orm means worm, or serpent

One of the main archways is completely covered in carvings of owls with crossed wings, and there are lots of carvings of serpents around the pillars too.

The serpents are said to represent, or pay homage to, the founder of the church, who was called Orm.

According to the County Records, Orm was the name of a man who lived near to the East gate of the church.

There is an inscription on a pillar which reads" Orm Vocatur Que Me Condidit", which is translated as "the man who established me is called Orm".

A great deal of the stonework was covered up during the 17th and 18th Centuries, and the church took on a neo-classical style.

In the early 19th Century restoration work was carried out on the church and the Norman decoration was rediscovered.

BBC Radio Stoke's Local History Correspondent Katie Martin visited St Chad's Church to find out more. To listen to her report click below.