Over the centuries, the Grosvenor family has often supported churches and the cathedral in nearby Chester. Most recently, in April 2009 the Duke of Westminster pledged £500,000 in support of a project to renovate the church of St John the Baptist. For more information please click here.
The family has also built several churches on the Eaton Estate and still takes responsibility for their maintenance.
ECCLESTON – The church dedicated to St Mary was built in 1899 with the 1st Duke of Westminster meeting the cost of £40,000. It was built on the site of an earlier church dating back to 1809 although the fact that part of the churchyard is circular suggests the site was already a place of worship in pagan times. In 1929 an excavation uncovered some 20 bodies believed to date from 390 AD making this the earliest known Christian burial site in the county.
HANDBRIDGE - St Mary's Without-the-Walls stands on estate land on the south bank of the River Dee and built for the 1st Duke of Westminster is still used for regular Anglican services. The church is a Grade II listed building and was built between 1885 and 1887 to a design by F. B. Wade.
WAVERTON – The nave of St Peter's dates back to 1665 and although the church was substantially restored in the 1880s it still has a number of original features including the timber framing in the chancel, the clerestory and many of the windows.