Forest Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forest Chapel |
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Forest Chapel
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| OS grid reference | SJ 974 722 |
| Location | Macclesfield Forest Cheshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | [1] |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 14 April 1967 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Groundbreaking | 1673 |
| Completed | 1834 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Sandstone Kerridge stone-slate roof |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Rainow with Saltersford and Forest |
| Deanery | Macclesfield |
| Archdeaconry | Macclesfield |
| Diocese | Chester |
| Province | York |
Forest Chapel is a special old church located in a quiet, beautiful area called Macclesfield Forest in Cheshire, England. It's part of the Peak District National Park, about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) from the town of Macclesfield. This historic building is officially recognized as a Grade II listed building, which means it's important and protected. It's an Anglican church, part of the Diocese of Chester, and it shares its services with two other nearby churches: Jenkin Chapel, Saltersford and Holy Trinity, Rainow.
Contents
A Journey Through Time: Forest Chapel's History
The very first chapel here was built a long, long time ago in 1673. Around 1720, a bishop named Francis Gastrell from Chester noticed that the chapel had not been officially "consecrated." This means it hadn't had a special religious ceremony to make it sacred. The chapel was almost completely rebuilt in 1834, giving it the look it mostly has today.
What Does Forest Chapel Look Like?
Outside the Chapel
Forest Chapel is built from sandstone, a type of rock, and has a roof made of Kerridge stone-slates. The main part of the church, which includes the nave (where people sit) and the chancel (near the altar), is one long section with five parts, called bays. On the south side, there's a small porch. At the west end, there's a tower with a unique saddleback roof, which looks like a saddle. The tower has openings with louvres (slanted slats) where the bell sounds come out. Inside the tower, there is one bell.
Inside the Chapel
The inside of Forest Chapel is quite simple and plain. On the wall in the chancel, there's a white marble memorial. This is a special plaque remembering Rev Samuel Hall, who used to be a minister at the church. Above the doorway of the porch, you can see a "benefaction board." This board lists people who have given money or gifts to the church. A stone altar is built into the east end wall. The east window has some beautiful stained glass from the Victorian era. The church records, called registers, started in 1759, though some older loose papers go back to 1746.
Forest Chapel Today
An old and interesting tradition called rushbearing still happens at Forest Chapel every August. It takes place on the second Sunday of the month. This tradition involves decorating the church with rushes (a type of plant). The chapel also holds regular services. These include a monthly evening service (evensong) on the first Sunday of the month at 3 PM, and a weekly "Light in the Forest" service on Wednesdays at 12:30 PM.
See also
- Listed buildings in Macclesfield Forest and Wildboarclough
