All Saints Church, Marple

All Saints Church stands in Church Lane, Marple, within the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport. It is a Grade II listed building, recognised for its historic significance. The churchyard holds the remains of an earlier church, also listed at Grade II. This earlier structure was a small timber-framed building erected in the late 16th century. The first recorded service took place in 1588, marking the site’s long-standing religious use. The current church replaced a ruinous 18th-century building, completed in 1811 by architect Robert Goldsmith. Local cotton manufacturer Samuel Oldknow contributed significantly to its construction. The church’s architecture reflects its evolution over centuries. The separate bell tower, strengthened in the 1960s, features four stages with a clock face and lancet bell openings. Inside, memorials include a tablet by John Flaxman for Rev. Kelsall Prescot and a monument by Francis Legatt Chantrey for Samuel Oldknow. The church itself has a stone exterior with a patterned tiled roof and a rose window at the west end. The organ, built by Conacher and Wadsworth, was extended in 1972, and the font was relocated from the old church. The lych gate, stable, and hearse house are also Grade II listed. Visitors find a serene churchyard with war graves from both world wars. The lych gate, dated 1893, welcomes them to the grounds. Inside, the nave and chancel offer space for reflection, while the memorials tell stories of local families. The eight bells, six dating back to 1731, add to the church’s historic charm. The patterned tiled roof and east-end window provide a striking contrast against the stone walls. The surrounding area, with its listed external features, completes the visit.