Christ Church, Macclesfield

Christ Church stands in Great King Street, Macclesfield, as a redundant Anglican church built in the late 18th century. The building is made of brick with stone facings in Georgian style and has a tower at the west end. Its plan includes a nave and a short chancel, with an embattled parapet above a cornice. The tower has west and north doors, elliptical windows, and clock faces. The exterior also features a Palladian window at the east end and a door with a pediment on the north elevation. The church is worth visiting for its historical significance and architectural features. It was built in 1775 in just seven months to accommodate the growing population of Macclesfield. The tower, completed the following year, stands 107 feet tall to compete with the tower of St Michael’s Church. David Simpson, its first vicar, invited John Wesley to preach there at least twelve times. The church contains notable stained glass by William Wailes and Morris & Co, as well as monuments to Charles Roe and David Simpson. Inside, visitors find a continuous gallery supported by cast-iron columns encased in wood, an early use of the material in a church. The interior includes box pews, a small marble font, and a three-manual organ made in 1875. The east window’s stained glass is by William Wailes, while the south wall holds monuments to Charles Roe and David Simpson. The church also houses items from the Macclesfield School of Carving, including an Edwardian reredos altar screen. The ring of ten bells, still used regularly, adds to the building’s character.