The church was an important mother-church for the region from at least the 8th century overseeing a very large parishParish Area with its own church, served by a priest who has the spiritual care of all those living within it. The system evolved gradually, reaching completion by the 13th century, at a site linking the kingdom of Mercia to the coastal regions under Irish influence. Several fragments of carved stone crosses of the 9th century indicate that Sandbach was a hub for ChristianChristian Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church to designate all members of the church. art in the north-west of England in the early medieval period. Two other crosses, including one of c.800 showing the foundation of Christ’s ministry in his instructions to St Peter and St PaulPaul, St (d. c. 65) 'Apostle to the Gentiles'. Born Saul of Tarsus, a Jew and Roman citizen. His initial hostility to the early church was overcome by his conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9: 1-19). Using the Roman version of his name, Paul travelled through Asia Minor and into Europe preaching to both Jews and Gentiles. Eventually arrested and taken to Rome for trial. Tradition holds that he was executed during the persecution under Nero. The New Testament letters bearing his name stress that salvation is offered as a gift (by God's grace) through faith, as a result of the forgiveness won by Christ's death on the cross and is available to Jews and non-Jews alike (e.g. Ephesians 2), can be found nearby in the market square.