Shrewsbury's St Chad's Church - a building born out of a misunderstanding
The churchwardens of St Chad's in Shrewsbury really should have listened to Thomas Telford. He told them their building was a death trap, but they wouldn't listen.
Disregarding the young engineer's warning, they hired a local stonemason to patch up the cracks.
And as the stonemason turned up to the sexton's house to pick up the key, early on a summer's morning, the clock struck four. The vibrations were too much for the tottering structure, and the church collapsed, leaving behind just a heap of rubble.
The stonemason was glad he had not turned up a few minutes earlier.
But while the events of 1788 reduced the impressive ancient church to a mangled wreck, it did pave the way for the distinctive circular building which is at the heart of the town today.
Rev Mark Chadwick arrived at St Chad's around 18 months ago, and says he loves the buzzing, vibrant atmosphere which surrounds the church.
He says: "It's got a real inner-city feel about it, there's an energy about St Chad's. We had 800 children running about for our Christmas crib service, there's a clear dynamism about the place."
Foundation laid: March 2, 1790 (St Chads Day)
Date opened: August 19, 1792
Services: Sunday 8am, 10am and 6pm, with daily services at 8am and 5pm throughout the week
Capacity: circa 1,200
Charles Darwin was baptised at St Chads
During the year, St Chads holds a range of special services including: mayor-making (in May) and Battle of Britain service in September[/breakout]
The 47-year-old, originally from Perth in Western Australia, believes the lively atmosphere is in part down to its circular profile, which also happened by accident.
After much debate, it was decided that the replacement for the collapsed church would be built on a site at the derelict town wall. Scottish architect George Steuart, who had designed nearby Attingham Park and a church in Wellington, was commissioned to come up with the design.
He submitted various proposals, and although the Parochial Church Council asked for an oblong building, "due to a misunderstanding" he completed a circular design that had already been rejected.
However, a shortage of time led to the design being accepted, and the foundation stone was laid on March 2, 1790. The church opened two-and-a-half years later. Stones from the old church were used in the foundations.
Mr Chadwick says many people are surprised by how old the church is, saying that it feels like a much newer building. The pews are arranged like a maze in the circular nave, and the original three-decker pulpit has been replaced by one made from copper and brass, in the style of the Victorian Arts & Crafts movement.
The sweeping staircase to the gallery looks more like a country house than a church, and the colourful window was made by renowned Shrewsbury firm Betton and Evans.
St Aidan's Chapel, to the right of the main entrance, was made into a memorial chapel for the King's Shropshire Light Infantry after the Second World War.
Mr Chadwick, who is supported by Preb David Crowhurst, says that to this day the church has retained close ties to the military. In December, the church hosted a thanksgiving service as members of Soldiers from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards were granted the Freedom of Shrewsbury.
"Every Wednesday we have a service for all the men and women of Shropshire who were killed in action," he says.
"I think there are a lot of the Royal Welsh based here, and they often attend."
Mr Chadwick says the main 10am Sunday services are attended by around 130 members, with around 30 turning out for the 8pm service.
At the moment, the church is preparing for its Easter programme, when it will be taking part in the town's 'Big Busk' to raise money for the Shrewsbury Ark, which provides support for the homeless.
"On the Saturday over Easter, all the buskers will be going around the town, and then on Easter Sunday they will be at the church from 12pm to 4pm."
Mr Chadwick, who is married to Emma and has daughters Melissa, aged 15, and Hana, 12, moved to Britain in 2002 to study at a theological college in York. He served at a number of churches in Wales before coming to Shrewsbury.
And surprisingly, he had little problem adapting to the English weather.
"It gets boring when it's sunny all the time," he says.
