All Saints Church, Scholar Green facts for kids

Quick facts for kids All Saints Church, Scholar Green
West end of All Saints Church, Scholar Green
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OS grid reference	SJ 824 575
Location	Scholar Green, Odd Rode, Cheshire
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Churchmanship	Traditional
Website	All Saints, Scholar Green
History
Status	Parish church
Founder(s)	Randle Wilbraham III
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	14 February 1967
Architect(s)	George Gilbert Scott
Architectural type	Church
Style	Gothic Revival
Groundbreaking	1863
Completed	1864
Construction cost	Nearly £5,914
Specifications
Materials	Stone, slate roof
Administration
Parish	Odd Rode
Deanery	Congleton
Archdeaconry	Macclesfield
Diocese	Chester
Province	York

All Saints Church is a beautiful old church located in the village of Scholar Green. This village is part of the parish of Odd Rode in Cheshire, England. It is an Anglican church, meaning it belongs to the Church of England.

The church is still very active today. It works closely with other churches in the area. These include the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rode Heath and St Luke's Mission Church in Mow Cop. All Saints Church is also a special building. It is listed as a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a very important historical building.

History of All Saints Church

Building the Church

All Saints Church was built between 1863 and 1864. A famous architect named George Gilbert Scott designed it. The church was requested by Randle Wilbraham III. He lived at a nearby place called Rode Hall. His family used to go to St Mary's Church, Astbury. But Randle wanted a church closer to his home in Odd Rode.

He had bought an old chapel for this purpose. However, it was too small for what he wanted. So, in 1861, he asked George Gilbert Scott to design a brand new church. Building started in 1863. Sadly, Randle Wilbraham III passed away during the first year of construction. His son, Randle Wilbraham IV, finished paying for and completing the church. It cost almost £5,914 to build. The church was officially opened in 1864.

Church Organ and Music

The church has a pipe organ that was built in 1887. It cost £280 at the time. A famous composer named Havergal Brian was the organist here. He played the organ at All Saints from 1896 to 1906. Brian was born in Longton. Around the time he started at All Saints, he began his career as a composer. He became well-known for writing many symphonies.

Architecture of All Saints Church

Outside the Church

All Saints Church is built from rough stone called rubble. It has smooth stone details called ashlar dressings. The roof is made of tiles. The church's layout includes a main hall called a nave. It also has a side section on the south called an aisle. There is a special area for the altar called a chancel. A small entrance room, or porch, is on the southwest side. A room for the clergy, called a vestry, is on the northeast.

The front of the church, or west end, looks balanced. It has three main sections. These sections are separated by strong supports called buttresses. In the middle, there is a doorway with fancy carvings. Above the door, there is a small roof-like structure called a gablet. It has a round shape with a flower inside. Even higher, there is a window with three parts. Above that, you can see a small covered space, or canopied niche. Inside this niche is a statue of Christ. At the very top, there is a double bellcote. This is a small tower that holds bells. It has a weathercock on top.

The sides of the church have four sections. Each section has a window with two parts. One section on the aisle has a porch. This porch has a pointed arch and a cross on top. The east window, at the back of the church, has five parts.

Inside the Church

Inside, the main hall (nave) and the side section (aisle) are separated by an arcade. This is a row of arches supported by pillars. The pillars are shaped like four-leaf clovers. The aisle has a curved ceiling that looks like a barrel.

The arch leading to the chancel has shiny marble columns on each side. These columns have carved tops with leaf designs. More marble columns are found near the east window and between the chancel and a small chapel. There is also a beautiful wrought iron screen with three arched openings. This screen was made by a company called Skidmore in Coventry.

In the chapel, there is a special niche. It holds a clay bust (a sculpture of a head and shoulders) of Randle Wilbraham III. This bust was made in 1854 by A. Carrier-Belleuse. The pulpit, where sermons are given, has eight sides. It is made of alabaster, a smooth, white stone. It has small arches with marble columns and colorful mosaic patterns.

The font, used for baptisms, is also made of alabaster. It is shaped like a chalice, which is a cup. The reredos, a decorated screen behind the altar, is a memorial to Randle Wilbraham III and his wife. It shows a scene inspired by The Last Supper painting by Leonardo da Vinci.

The stained glass in the east window is a memorial to Randle Wilbraham IV. It was made in 1864. The west window has a special design called a Jesse window. It was made in 1908 by C. E. Kempe. The bells in the bellcote were made by a company called Taylor in Loughborough.

Why All Saints Church is Special

All Saints Church was officially named a Grade II* listed building on 14 February 1967. This means it is considered a "particularly important building of more than special interest." It's the middle grade of three listing levels.

A historian named Harry Stuart Goodhart-Rendel once said he liked this church best of all the churches designed by Scott that he had seen. He felt that everything about its design was a "triumph" of good Gothic style. The official description of the church also says that both its design and the way it was built are of "high quality."

See also

• Grade II* listed buildings in Cheshire East
• List of new churches by George Gilbert Scott in Northern England
• Listed buildings in Odd Rode