St Peter
Macclesfield, Cheshire
An early Victorian, Gothic Church (Grade II Listed) of relatively simple but effective design, reordered in 2005 to create a highly attractive and flexible space for both worship and community activities.
Alderley was granted a market charter in 1243, suggesting that some or of worship was already established. The old Saxon preaching cross and the 1200 year old yew tree certainly support this. The 13th church was built of local sandstone with a Kerridge stone slate roof. Typical of the area, the clerestory was added approximately 150 years later.
Above the door is the Stanley crest. This prominent family is celebrated widely inside the church. A white marble sarcophagus contains the ashes of the 4th Lord and those of his wife, Mary Katharine. It is decorated with a band of cherubs and garlands. There are two brass plaques on the wall, one for the 4th Lord and his wife and one for their second son who was killed in 1908.
One fine trubute to the family is the Stanley Memorial window. Henrietta Maria Stanley, wife of the 2nd Lord Stanley of Alderley donated this window in 1860. She had 12 children but sadly three of the girls, Olga, Cecilia and Mary Ethelfreda, died in infancy. This window is in the memory of these children. It was designed and created by Messrs Edmondson and Son of Angel Street, Manchester.
The Grade II listed mausoleum was built in 1909 for the 4th Lord Stanley of Alderley.