The chapel in January with the Cat and Fiddle Inn hidden on the hill in the distance
St. Stephen
Macclesfield
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The chapel in January with the Cat and Fiddle Inn hidden on the hill in the distance |
"The Chapel in the
Forest"
St. Stephen Macclesfield |
| High in the Cheshire Pennine hills in a remote hamlet close to the Derbyshire border this little church is still clinging on. | How to find it The Forest Chapel is about 4 miles to the east of Macclesfield when road signs can be seen on the A537, Buxton New Road. It is also about 2 miles to the west of the Cat and Fiddle Inn. Map Ref. 974721 |
| The original
chapel was built in 1673 in what was the heart of the Norman Royal
Hunting Forest, little now remains of this structure. Major
renovations took place in 1834 when it was almost entirely
rebuilt
A former vicar Rev. Freeman (1856-1889)used to keep falcons which he hunted in the hills around to keep his table liberally supplied with grouse |
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On the closest Sunday to August 12th the church celebrates
the ancient custom of "Rushbearing"
The church is beautifully decorated with twisted rushes that fill every part of the church. The aisle is strewn to make a green carpet. |
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| The Future 2 walkers rest for a while on a sunny winter day. With a diminishing congregation does this place have a possible future as a haven for the many people who ramble these hills in every season? " A walkers centre" |
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