All Saints Church, Siddington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids All Saints Church, Siddington
All Saints Church, Siddington, west end
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OS grid reference	SJ 845 708
Location	Siddington, Cheshire
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Website	All Saints, Siddington
History
Status	Parish church
Dedication	All Saints
Consecrated	1521
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	14 April 1967
Architectural type	Church
Completed	1894
Specifications
Materials	Timber framing enclosed in brick Kerridge stone-slate roof
Administration
Parish	All Saints, Siddington
Deanery	Congleton
Archdeaconry	Macclesfield
Diocese	Chester
Province	York

All Saints Church is a historic church located in the village of Siddington, in Cheshire, England. It's a very important building, listed as a Grade II* listed building. This means it's a special building protected for its history and unique design. The church is an active Anglican parish church, serving the local community as part of the Church of England.

History of the Church

Records show that a chapel (a small church) existed in Siddington as early as 1337. It was officially opened for services in 1521. The church was originally built using a method called timber-framed construction, where a strong wooden frame forms the main structure.

By 1815, the wooden walls started to bulge. To make the church stronger, bricks were added around the timber frame. The church also had major repairs and updates in 1853 and 1894. These updates are sometimes called "Victorian restorations" because they happened during the Victorian era.

What the Church Looks Like

Outside the Church

The front part of the church, called the chancel, and the south entrance porch still show the original timber-framing. The west wall is painted to look like timber-framing. The roof is made of special Kerridge stone slates.

The church has a main area called the nave (which has four sections, or "bays"). It also has a two-bay chancel. A small room called a vestry sticks out from the north side of the chancel. There's also a porch on the south side. At the west end of the church, there's a small structure with a pointed roof called a bellcote, where the church bell is kept.

Inside the Church

The wooden roofs of the nave and chancel are very old and well-preserved. A wooden screen from the 14th century separates the nave from the chancel. The walls of the chancel still have their original timber-framing. The brick walls of the nave are painted to look like timber.

Most of the church's furniture and fittings are newer. However, the pulpit (where the minister gives sermons) is quite old, dating back to 1633. A gallery (a raised seating area) was built at the west end of the church in 1786.

The church's old records, called parish registers, start from 1722. The churchwardens' accounts (records of money spent) begin in 1781. Sadly, all the church's special plate (like cups and dishes used in services) was stolen in 1792 and never found. A new set was given to the church in 1936 by the Bromley-Davenport family.

Outside the Church Grounds

In the churchyard, you can find the graves of the Bromley-Davenport family, who lived nearby at Capesthorne Hall. There's also a stone cross base from the 16th century in the churchyard, which is also a Grade II listed structure. The churchyard also holds the war graves of three soldiers who died in World War I. One was from the Tank Corps, and two were Royal Air Force officers.

Special Memorials

Inside the church, there is a memorial to Lieutenant Colonel Wilfrith Elstob. He was a very brave soldier who received the Victoria Cross (VC) during World War I. The Victoria Cross is the highest award for bravery in the British armed forces. His father was once the Vicar (a type of minister) at All Saints Church.

See also

• Grade II* listed buildings in Cheshire East
• Listed buildings in Siddington, Cheshire