600 Years of Worship
- Chadkirk Old Chapel
(From a newspaper clipping from Marple dated September
1947)
While little of an
authentic nature is known of the history of Chadkirk
Old Chapel, a writer some years ago, cites a deed of
1347 conveying land from William de Halton to William
de Chadkirk, chaplain. Historians contend there must
have been some religious house dedicated to St. Chad
prior to 1347.
It is contended that
services were held at Chadkirk at least 600 years ago.
One historian stated "Chadchappel seems to have
been some Monkish cell" at some very early date
unknown, and the fact that the chapel, centuries ago
has always been named after St. Chad lends support to
the contention that Chadkirk has had a church there
for many centuries.
In a "History
of Cheshire" published in 1860 the writer states
that "Chadkirk Chapel is on a low mound, nearly
opposite to Marple Hall. About 300 years ago i.e., 1560
the rites and ceremonies of the church were celebrated
in this Chapel. In the Kings Book or Valor Ecclesiasticus
of Henry VIII was found an entry that the chantry was
worth 4 pounds and eighteen pence. A century later religious
worship was maintained under Protestant and Puritan
influence at Chadkirk, and was continued there until
1706, when the old building was forsaken for a new chapel
at Hatherlow, during the ministry of the Rev. Gamalial
Jones. The chapel lay in ruins about 50 years, till
1746 (note, probably this should read 40 years) where
the greater part of it was rebuilt by subscriptions.
It is a low antique structure consisting of nave and
chancel with a belfry, and probably was rebuilt about
the above date, except the east end of the chancel which
is of wood and plaster.
Dates of interest:
Inside the door of the chapel is a notice which
states: "This chapel was raised out of the ruins,
1747. Repaired and beautified and the loft erected 1761.
Again repaired and beautified 1860. Restored 1876."
The registers of children
baptised at Chadkirk go back to 1747, and burials to
1755.
At the front of the
register it states: "As the Chadkirk Chapel is
raised out of its ruins, and so the people talk of laying
their Dead at it, as it has been a burying place beforetime.
This is to satisfy all enquirers about the Dues for
a burial that they are as follows" — then
follows a list of fees. This list is signed by the Curate
at Chadkirk and dated 28th September 1756,
and also signed by other ministers at Chadkirk. The
marriage register goes back to 1748.
The register states:
"1783, October 1st. The Act of Parliament
took place to pay three pence Duty to his Majesty for
every person that is buried."
Consumption Prevalent:
From 1592 onwards for some years, it appears usual to
enter the cause of death at the side of person buried.
"Consumption" appears very frequently to have
been a cause of death, whilst other entries are "Insanity",
"Fever", "Old age"; other complaints
are mentioned, but in 1792 it is recorded that 18 individuals,
mainly children, died from "Smallpox".
At present the Bible
in use is dated 1807 and the clergy prayer book 1825,
and there are some interesting items in the latter:
for instance, the prayer for the King is William (the
4th) and Queen Adelaide. There is also a
Form of Prayer for use on the 5th day of
November for "delivering" King James I from
the most traitorous and bloody intended massacre by
gunpowder and the happy arrival of King William".
This Prayer Book also
contains a "Form of Prayer to God for having put
an end to The Great Rebellion by the Restitution of
the King and the Royal Family and the Government after
many years of interruption completed on the 29th
of May 1660". This refers to the date when Charles
II made his entry into London.
Incidentally there
is a also a form of prayer in commemoration of "Blessed
King Charles I".
These services are,
of course, not found in present-day issues, but are
exceptionally interesting reading.
It will be seen that
Chadkirk Old Chapel, together with the registers and
prayer books, contains a very interesting record of
the past.
F.L.O.
The reverse side of
this yellowed clipping gives details of various community
services and events:
