St Michael’s Parish Church Macclesfield. First Stage of Restoration

MACCLESFIELD - The parish church, dedicated to St. Michael, was re-opened, after partial restoration, on the 7th inst. Probably the only part of the original edifice is some portion of the basement of the tower. This tower, and the two chapels on the south side (one belonging to the Leghs of Lyme and the other erected by Thomas Savage, archbishop of York, who died A.D. 1507), are the only portions of the edifice which boast of anything like antiquity. It is intended to thoroughly restore the church in sections, and this present section, No. 1, just completed, embraced, in the main, the extension of the chancel and north aisle eastward, and the additions of clergy and choir vestries on the south side. The state of the vaults by which the basement of the edifice is everywhere fairly honeycombed, gave rise to many unexpected difficulties, but all the work is now well got over. Tegsnose, Cefn, and Alderley stones are used in the new masonry, and the roofs are of oak. There is a handsome mosaic floor in the chancel, into which a large figure of St. Michael is skillfully introduced. This is by Messrs. Patterson, of Manchester. The stone carving is by Mr. Harry Hems, of Exeter, and the heating apparatus, which has been placed under the north chapel, has been supplied by- Mr. Harlow. Mr. Westwood did the gas-fitting, and Messrs. Martin, Farrar, and Mellor the glazing. The general contractor was Mr. H. S. Aspinall, of Macclesfield, and the architect under whom the works have been carried out was Mr. James Stevens, F.R.I.B.A., of Mosley-street, Manchester, and Macclesfield. [Builder 17 January 1885 page 118]

The first section of what is proposed to be the general restoration of St. Michael's Parish Church, Macclesfield, being complete, it was re-opened on Wednesday, the 7th inst. Mr. J. Stevens, F.R.I.B.A.. of Manchester and Macclesfield, is the architect under whom the work has been carried out, and Mr. W. H. S. Aspinall, of Macclesfield, the contractor. The main work now done embraces the extension of the chancel and north aisle eastward, and the addition of clergy and choir vestries on the south side. The tracery in the windows is of Cefyn stone, and the walls are of Tegsnose and Alderley stone. The internal walls arc of ashlar in the latter material. The roofs and doors are of massive oak, but the chancel fittings are of a temporary character. The chancel floor is paved with marble mosaic, with a large figure of St. Michael, the patron saint, introduced therein. This is the work of Messrs. Patterson, of Oxford Street, Manchester. The stone carving is by Mi. Harry Hems, of Exeter, and the glazing by Messrs. Martin, Farrar, and Mellor, of Macclesfield. The heating apparatus, placed in the north chapel, has been supplied by Mr. Harlow, and Mr. Westwood supplied the gas-fittings. Macclesfield Church, it may be mentioned, dates from the days of Eleanor of Castile, commonly known as the Lady of Macclesfield. She was the wife of Edward Earl of Cluster, afterwards Edward I. [British Architect 16 January 1885 page 35]

MACCLESFIELD - The parish church of St. Michael was reopened on the 7th inst., the first section of the restoration being completed. This has embraced the extension of the chancel eastwards, as also of the north aisle, which now terminates in a small chapel, and the addition of clergy and choir vestries on the south side. The internal walls are lined with Alderney stone ashlar—the tracery of the chancel, and other new windows, are in Cefn stone —the exterior walls being of parpoints, from Tegsnose, with Alderley ashlar. The roofs and doors are of English oak, and the floors generally are of Wareham's block wood pavement. The chancel has been paved with marble mosaic, by Messrs. Patterson, of Oxford-street, Manchester, and Mr. Westwood supplied the gas-fittings. The carved work is by Mr. Harry Hems, of Exeter. The general contractor was Mr. H. S. Aspinall, of Macclesfield, and the work has been carried out from the designs, and under the superintendence, of Mr. James Stevens, of Manchester and Macclesfield. [Building News 16 January 1885 page 107]

Reference    Building News 16 January 1885 page 107]
Reference    British Architect 16 January 1885 Page 35
Reference    Builder 17 January 1885 page 118