Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
I stumbled across the beautiful small church while wandering country roads.
The little village of Foxt is situated in the northern part of the Staffordshire Moorlands, approximately 10 minutes from the renowned Alton Towers.
It is a meandering village rising some 500 feet from Froghall Wharf to its highest point Ipstones Edge at 1250 feet above sea level.
In the past, along with farming, the main activity was concerned with extraction of raw materials, such as coal and ironstone.
It is a beautiful area with amazing views of the surrounding countryside throughout the village.
St Mark's Church which stands in the heart of the village was built in 1838 as a private chapel, it was presented to the Diocese in 1899 as the Parish Church of Foxt with Whiston. It was built of local stone quarried from Black Bank Wood.
The Ecclesiastical Census of 1851 states that the building was erected almost entirely at the expense of the incumbent of the Parish of Ipstones the Revd. John Snyed.
The Snyed Coat of Arms can be seen on the armorial plaque on the exterior East wall, the Motto is "Neither to oppress nor be oppressed”
After the 1870 Education Act and between the years 1875 and 1877 part of the church was curtained off and used as a School, until Foxt School was built in 1877. Following the School closure this building has become the Village Hall.
In the early 1880's the Church fell into disrepair - with no roof and window, the Sunday School was held in the School building. The church was brought back to life and reopened in 1890.
In 1983 Mrs Ruby Ada Goodwin donated the clock in the Clock Tower
In 2003/4 the Church was at risk of closure again due to falling numbers - at this time having only 2 regular worshipers. The village rallied round and won a stay of execution. Over the following years attendance increased and major refurbishment work was completed on the building, including the roof being renewed, roof trusses strengthened and plaster being removed from the lower parts of the walls inside the church. The vestry was revamped in order to provide a kitchen to make refreshments.
The old organ was removed in 2007 and replaced with an electric one donated by Ann Brindley in memory of her husband Neville James Brindley.
The Mothers Union and Sunday School Banners you can see hanging today were refurbished by Jean Murray Bean. They were consecrated by the Bishop of Stafford on 22nd of September 2013.
I stumbled across the beautiful small church while wandering country roads.
The little village of Foxt is situated in the northern part of the Staffordshire Moorlands, approximately 10 minutes from the renowned Alton Towers.
It is a meandering village rising some 500 feet from Froghall Wharf to its highest point Ipstones Edge at 1250 feet above sea level.
In the past, along with farming, the main activity was concerned with extraction of raw materials, such as coal and ironstone.
It is a beautiful area with amazing views of the surrounding countryside throughout the village.
St Mark's Church which stands in the heart of the village was built in 1838 as a private chapel, it was presented to the Diocese in 1899 as the Parish Church of Foxt with Whiston. It was built of local stone quarried from Black Bank Wood.
The Ecclesiastical Census of 1851 states that the building was erected almost entirely at the expense of the incumbent of the Parish of Ipstones the Revd. John Snyed.
The Snyed Coat of Arms can be seen on the armorial plaque on the exterior East wall, the Motto is "Neither to oppress nor be oppressed”
After the 1870 Education Act and between the years 1875 and 1877 part of the church was curtained off and used as a School, until Foxt School was built in 1877. Following the School closure this building has become the Village Hall.
In the early 1880's the Church fell into disrepair - with no roof and window, the Sunday School was held in the School building. The church was brought back to life and reopened in 1890.
In 1983 Mrs Ruby Ada Goodwin donated the clock in the Clock Tower
In 2003/4 the Church was at risk of closure again due to falling numbers - at this time having only 2 regular worshipers. The village rallied round and won a stay of execution. Over the following years attendance increased and major refurbishment work was completed on the building, including the roof being renewed, roof trusses strengthened and plaster being removed from the lower parts of the walls inside the church. The vestry was revamped in order to provide a kitchen to make refreshments.
The old organ was removed in 2007 and replaced with an electric one donated by Ann Brindley in memory of her husband Neville James Brindley.
The Mothers Union and Sunday School Banners you can see hanging today were refurbished by Jean Murray Bean. They were consecrated by the Bishop of Stafford on 22nd of September 2013.
