All Saints Church

Siddington, Macclesfield, Cheshire

Add All Saints Church to your Itinerary

All Saints Church. Photo credit: Colin Park

Book Tickets Online

Although the exact age of the building is unknown, records at Prestbury Church mention a chapel at Siddington in wills dating from c. 1337 and 1474. What is absolutely certain, however, is that it was first consecrated for preaching in 1521.

In 1721 a licence was granted for burial in the churchyard and baptism, but it was not licenced for marriages until 1883.

The church has a timber frame, filled with wattle and daub plaster, with a thatched roof for much of its life, but unfortunately sometime in the 1700s it was decided to reroof the building with Kerridge flagstone slabs which are enormously heavy and caused the long walls to bulge. As a result these were encased in a brick “sandwich” in 1816, and there are drawings in church showing the plain plaster walls after this had been done, and before the pattern of the timber frame was painted on. Just to the left of the South door (the one most usually used), at ceiling height, it is possible to see the top of one of the carved wooden pillars, made from single pieces of oak, that still line the whole building.

Immediately facing the South Door is the “Animal Window” commemorating the famous Animal Services, started by Canon Archie Douglas, and held each June in the churchyard for some 30 years.

Nowadays the church is known to many as the Corn Dolly Church thanks to the fabulous displays of this traditional craft made by the church’s Emeritus Reader, Raymond Rush.

When a font was placed in the church in 1792 two men from Gawsworth were threatened with excommunication for interfering with its installation! The present font was installed in 1853, (and the old one sold for 10 shillings!) The Pulpit was probably once the top section of a “Three Decker” from Marton Church, and has a date of 1633 carved on it. The reading desk might also be from this structure.

The screen between the main part of the church and the choir stalls dates from the 1300s, and it is still possible to see the marks of the adze woodworking tools used to shape it. Behind the left hand set of choir stalls in the Chancel are two low windows which are thought to have been “Leper windows”. These would originally have been unglazed, and allowed the diseased to watch the services from outside.

Outside the church door is a grade 2 listed preaching cross.

With its long history and Grade 2* Listed Building status, this Church remains at the centre of a lively worshipping community, with services each Sunday at which you will be very welcome.

Book Tickets

Opening Times

2024 (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)

Directions

TripAdvisor

Contact Us

Tel: 01260 224358

Tel: 01260 224358

What's Nearby

  1. Capesthorne Hall & Gardens

    Dating from 1719, the majestic Capesthorne Hall with its stunning Jacobean style…

    1.23 miles away
  2. St James and St Paul

    One of the finest examples of the Medieval wooden church remaining in England today, this…

    1.78 miles away
  3. Clonter Opera Theatre

    The 'Clonter Experience' offers you the opportunity to entertain friends and clients in…

    2.56 miles away
  1. Gawsworth Hall

    This 15th century, traditionally built half-timbered house is said to have been the home…

    2.9 miles away
  2. Gawsworth Hall Gardens

    The home of Mary Fitton, the 'Dark Lady' of Shakespeare’s sonnets, Gawsworth Hall’s…

    2.93 miles away
  3. Jodrell Bank

    Jodrell Bank is an amazing, unique, and awe-inspiring place. A world-leading deep-space…

    2.99 miles away
  4. Jodrell Bank for Groups

    Jodrell bank is a world-leading deep-space radio observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage…

    2.99 miles away
  5. St Mary's Church

    St Mary's is a 'living church' in the community but it also attracts many visitors. Open…

    3.34 miles away
  6. Nether Alderley Mill (NT)

    Concealed under the long sloping roof of this medieval building is a fully restored,…

    3.5 miles away
  7. The Lovell Quinta Arboretum

    Nestled in the heart of the Cheshire countryside in the picturesque village of Swettenham…

    3.65 miles away
  8. Hare Hill Garden (NT)

    A tranquil wooded garden, surrounded by historic parkland, with a delightful walled…

    4.01 miles away
  9. Prestbury Golf Club

    Often described as the Sir Christopher Wren of course architects, his influence on course…

    4.27 miles away
  10. Silk Museum

    Join an Up Close Tour of the Silk Museum where our expert guides look at all aspects of…

    4.6 miles away
  11. Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve

    The Local Nature Reserve has over 50 acres of mainly silver birch and oak woodland…

    4.61 miles away
  12. King Edward Street Unitarian Chapel

    From Macclesfield Library, the chapel can be found down a narrow passage way on the left…

    4.64 miles away
  13. Congleton Park

    This magnificent Victorian park is now fully restored and open to the public.

    4.77 miles away
Previous Next

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss