Nominal: 579 Hz Weight: 2933 lbs Diameter: 52.88" Bell 1 of 12
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 4348 Tower ID: 15811 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Macclesfield: St Michael & All Angels
Diocese of Chester
Major Parish Church, 609281
http://www.stmichaels-macclesfield.org.uk/This church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (verified 2025-11-06)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
Overview
Grid reference: SJ 917 737
The church building is in a prominent position at the highest point of the town, above the Bollin Valley. A chapel was founded on the site soon after the borough was established in about 1220. The most recent rebuild took place from 1898 to 1901, this time in Victorian Gothic, except for the still-surviving chapels, and the chancel, which had been added in 1884 (in a similar Gothic style).
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 1068 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
A chapel was founded on the site soon after the borough was established in about 1220. This was extended or rebuilt as All Hallows or All Saints, in 1278 by Queen Eleanor, the wife of King Edward I. A number of important elements remain from earlier times, especially the Legh and Savage Chapels, and several memorials. The Legh Chapel was built in about 1442 to receive the body of Sir Piers Legh, who fought at Agincourt and died later in the same campaign. The larger Savage Chapel is a chantry chapel built between 1505 and 1507 by Thomas Savage, Archbishop of York. The whole church, save for these chapels and the tower, was rebuilt in Georgian style in 1740, following a long period of neglect. This building was built on a line north from the mediaeval church, so that the tower is now at the south west corner of the building. A final rebuild took place from 1898 to 1901, this time in Victorian Gothic, except for the still-surviving chapels, and the chancel, which had been added in 1884 (in a similar Gothic style). This current building was designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield and built of local stone from Teggs Nose, except for the tower which was partly rebuilt using stone from the previous church.
There is a small extension, built in the 1970s, at the south east corner of the chancel to form a vestry with its own entrance porch, linked to the former choir vestry which was repurposed as a meeting room.
A further reordering took place between June 2003 and May 2004 to provide a welcome area (narthex), meeting rooms, office and vestry, at the west end.
Exterior Description
The current building was designed by Sir Arthur Blomfield and built of local stone from Teggs Nose, except for the tower which was partly rebuilt using stone from the previous church.
Building Materials
Conglomerate
13th Century
Bunter Pebble Beds
Sandstone
13th Century
Lower Coal Measures Sandstones
Interior
Fixtures and fittings
Clock
Bells
Nominal: 1733 Hz Weight: 565 lbs Diameter: 25.13" Bell 2 of 12
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 30151 Tower ID: 15811 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1544 Hz Weight: 599 lbs Diameter: 26.25" Bell 3 of 12
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 30152 Tower ID: 15811 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1458 Hz Weight: 547 lbs Diameter: 26.5" Bell 4 of 12
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 30153 Tower ID: 15811 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1298 Hz Weight: 547 lbs Diameter: 28" Bell 5 of 12
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 30154 Tower ID: 15811 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1157 Hz Weight: 597 lbs Diameter: 29.5" Bell 6 of 12
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 30155 Tower ID: 15811 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1091 Hz Weight: 727 lbs Diameter: 31.25" Bell 7 of 12
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 30156 Tower ID: 15811 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 972 Hz Weight: 786 lbs Diameter: 33" Bell 8 of 12
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 30157 Tower ID: 15811 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 865 Hz Weight: 975 lbs Diameter: 36.13" Bell 9 of 12
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 30158 Tower ID: 15811 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 772 Hz Weight: 1314 lbs Diameter: 40" Bell 10 of 12
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 30159 Tower ID: 15811 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 728 Hz Weight: 1573 lbs Diameter: 42.38" Bell 11 of 12
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 30160 Tower ID: 15811 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 650 Hz Weight: 2059 lbs Diameter: 46.88" Bell 12 of 12
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 30161 Tower ID: 15811 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SJ 917 737
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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