Cradley Church, An Historical Tour

The oak chest

This very large chest is probably 14th. Century. Made from a single tree trunk, it has been altered many times over the centuries. The lid was originally in one piece. It had three locks, and could only be opened by the Rector and the two Churchwardens together. It would have held the priest’s vestments and the church valuables. It contained the parish records before the introduction of civil parish councils in 1894.

The oak chest

The oak chest map