King Edward Street Chapel, Macclesfield

The King Edward Street Chapel stands in Macclesfield, Cheshire, behind other buildings and reached through a narrow passageway. Built in 1690 from local red sandstone, it measures 18 metres long and 6 metres wide. Two external staircases lead to the east and west galleries, and a lead downspout bears the date 1690. The chapel began as an independent Trinitarian chapel and became Unitarian during John Palmer’s ministry from 1764 to 1780. Around 1800 the south gallery was removed, and in the early 19th century Gothic features were added inside. The old box pews were replaced with bench pews in 1930, and it remains in use as a Unitarian chapel today. Inside, a high two-decker pulpit sits on the north side, with galleries at the east and west ends. The vestry holds oil portraits of Thomas Culcheth, minister from 1717 to 1751, and his wife. An elaborately carved chair by William Leicester from 1688 and a carved communion table presented in 1894 stand in the chapel. The alabaster christening bowl dates to 1842, and the east gallery contains a two-manual organ made by John Bellamy in 1846.