St Michael's Church, Macclesfield facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids St Michael and All Angels Church, Macclesfield
St Michael's Church, Macclesfield, from the west
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OS grid reference	SJ 917 737
Location	Macclesfield, Cheshire
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Website	St Michael's, Macclesfield
History
Status	Parish church
Dedication	Saint Michael
Consecrated	1278
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	14 April 1949
Architect(s)	Arthur Blomfield
Architectural type	Church
Style	Gothic, Gothic Revival
Completed	1901
Specifications
Materials	Red sandstone Stone-flagged roof
Administration
Parish	The Macclesfield Team Parish
Deanery	Macclesfield
Archdeaconry	Macclesfield
Diocese	Chester
Province	York

St Michael and All Angels Church is a historic church in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. It stands proudly overlooking the town's Market Place. This church is an active Anglican parish church, meaning it serves the local community. It is part of a group of four churches in Macclesfield.

The church is very important historically. It is listed as a Grade II* building on the National Heritage List for England. This means it is a particularly important building of more than special interest. A church has stood on this spot since the 1200s. The current building has been rebuilt twice, most recently between 1898 and 1901. Inside, you can still see two very old chapels from the 1400s and 1500s. The church also holds many tombs and memorials, mostly for the important Savage and Legh families.

History of St Michael's Church
Architecture of St Michael's Church
- Outside the Church
- Inside the Church
  - Church Furnishings
  - Chapels and Important Tombs
    - The Savage Chapel
Outside the Church Grounds
Images for kids
See also

History of St Michael's Church

Early Beginnings of the Church

The very first church here was a small chapel built around 1220. This was soon after Macclesfield became a proper town. Around 1278, the chapel was made bigger or rebuilt. This work was done by Eleanor of Castile, who was the wife of King Edward I of England. The church was first named All Saints or All Hallows.

Adding Chapels and Rebuilding

A special chapel, known as the Legh Chapel, was built around 1442. It was for Sir Piers Legh, a knight who fought in the famous Battle of Agincourt. Later, between 1505 and 1507, a larger chapel was added. This was the Savage Chapel, built by Thomas Savage, who was the Archbishop of York.

The church has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. In 1739–40, it was rebuilt in a classical style. It was probably at this time that the church was renamed Saint Michael. The old wooden tower was removed in 1740 because it was unsafe. In 1819, the east end was rebuilt, and a new chancel (the area around the altar) was added.

The biggest rebuilding project happened between 1898 and 1901. This was led by the architect Arthur Blomfield. Almost the entire church was replaced, except for parts of the chancel and the two old chapels.

Modern Updates to the Church

More recently, between 2003 and 2004, the church had a big update called "Open Door" Phase 1. This added a welcoming area, meeting rooms, and an office at the west end. A second phase added a Youth Centre. During these updates, the church roof was repaired. The church organ was also completely taken apart, cleaned, fixed, and put back together.

Architecture of St Michael's Church

Outside the Church

St Michael's Church from Macclesfield railway station

The church has a long main area called a nave with six sections. On either side are north and south aisles. At the east end is the chancel, with rooms for clergy on both sides. The main tower is at the west end of the south aisle.

The Legh Chapel sticks out from the south aisle. The larger Savage Chapel is to the east of this. The main tower has some of the original old stones and carvings. It also shows shields with symbols of important local families. On the west side of the tower, there is a clock. Below the clock, there is a special spot with statues of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, Saint John, and Saint James.

Inside the Church

Church Furnishings

The baptismal font (where baptisms happen) has a fancy base and a carved bowl from 1744. The reredos (a screen behind the altar), the altar table, and the communion rail were designed in 1946. Behind this is an older reredos from 1820 with pointed arches.

The pulpit (where sermons are given) is from 1876 and has carvings of apostles. There are two large chandeliers. One is from 1882, and the other was given in 1744 and updated in 1822. In the porch of the Savage Chapel, you can see small pieces of old medieval stained glass.

The large east window, from 1901, and the west window, from 1902, were made by Powells. The west window shows Queen Victoria. Other windows in the church were made by famous artists like Charles Eamer Kempe and Christopher Whall. The two-manual organ was made by Percy Daniel and Company. The church also has a set of 12 bells, all cast in 1923.

Chapels and Important Tombs

The most interesting parts of the church are its chapels and the many tombs. St Michael's has "the finest collection of alabaster statues in Cheshire." The smaller Legh Chapel, built around 1422, is now used for baptisms. It has several brass memorials, including one for William Legh who died in 1630.

The Savage Chapel

The exterior of the Savage Chapel

Tomb of Major General Thomas Savage, 3rd Earl Rivers in the Savage chapel

The Savage Chapel is the larger of the two family chapels. It was built between 1505 and 1507 by Archbishop Thomas Savage. Many members of the Savage family are buried here.

Inside the Savage Chapel, you can find the Pardon Brass. This memorial is for Roger Legh, who died in 1506. It has three parts, showing Roger with his six sons. Another part shows a religious scene. The missing part likely showed Roger's wife and their seven daughters. The inscription on the brass promised a long period of reduced time in purgatory for saying certain prayers.

Many tombs and memorials in the chapel belong to the Savage family. A lot of them are for people named John. The tomb of Sir John Savage, who died in 1597, and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Manners, is in the Savage Chapel. Their statues lie on top of the tomb. Elizabeth's statue is higher to show her higher social rank. Above them is a stone roof supported by two female figures. This Sir John Savage built a large house called Rocksavage.

Near this tomb is a white alabaster tombstone. It is thought to be for George Savage, who died in 1552. There is also a statue of a civilian, showing only the head, shoulders, and feet. In the southeast corner is the tomb of Sir John Savage, who died in 1528, and his wife Elizabeth.

In the curved end of the chapel, there is a damaged piscina (a basin for washing sacred vessels) and an aumbry (a cupboard for sacred items). There is also a squint, a small opening that allowed people to see the main altar. The altar in the chapel is the original stone one. In the north wall, between the chapel and the church's main area, are two more tombs with statues. One is for Sir John Savage, the older brother of Archbishop Savage. He was a commander in the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. The other tomb is for his son, John Savage, who died in 1527.

On the south side of the sanctuary (the area around the main altar) is the tomb of Sir John Savage, who died in 1495, and his wife Katherine. This is considered the most beautiful tomb in the church. It has detailed alabaster statues of the couple. Another beautiful alabaster monument of a knight in armor is also here. This is known as the Downes effigy. In the chancel, you can find the tomb of Thomas Savage, 3rd Earl Rivers, who died in 1694. His statue shows him semi-reclining under a marble canopy.

Outside the Church Grounds

In the churchyard, there is a sundial likely from the 1700s. It has a fancy base on a stone stand. This sundial is also a Grade II listed structure. The churchyard walls, railings, gates, and gate pillars are also listed as Grade II.

Images for kids

St Michael's Church, Macclesfield, from the west
St Michael's Church from Macclesfield railway station
The exterior of the Savage Chapel
Tomb of Major General Thomas Savage, 3rd Earl Rivers in the Savage chapel