Wem Rural Parish Council has financially supported the Church of King Charles the Martyr in Newtown by providing community grants to help them maintain the churchyard.
Newtown Church has a long and storied history, having been established as far back as 1665. The original chapel, converted from a private house, was consecrated on the site where the current church now stands. This first chapel was replaced by a new church in 1836. Later, in 1868/9, the present church was constructed on the same site, and it is this building that remains in use today.
Architecturally, the church is modest, constructed from local Grinshill Sandstone. It features a nave, chancel, and bell tower with a set of hemispherical bells. Inside, the church houses various monuments and windows, primarily from the Victorian era. Alongside Newtown School, which the church helped to establish, it is one of only two properties in the village that is not a farm or private residence.
The churchyard, surrounding the building, includes graves and a war memorial dedicated in 1920. The church has adopted a conservation policy for the churchyard, aiming to maintain and enhance it as a habitat for wildlife. Principal paths required for access are mown approximately every fortnight, with floral lawns cut every four weeks, and meadow areas just once a year.
In August, the church held only one service, but there are typically three Sunday services each month. Additionally, the church is open on Wednesday afternoons for most of the year, welcoming all visitors. As autumn approaches, the church will be hosting several events, including the Harvest Festival on 13th October, a Harvest Supper at Loppington Village Hall on 19th October, and the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial on 10th November. Christmas events, including a Carol Service, are also planned for December.
Wem Rural Parish Council encourages residents and visitors alike to participate in these upcoming events and to appreciate the historical and cultural value that Newtown Church brings to the community.
