Help solve the puzzle of Christ Church’s box pews

Can you help solve a puzzle about the Christ Church pews?

Macclesfield’s grade II* listed Georgian church built by entrepreneur and industrialist Charles Roe in 1775 is renowned for its straight backed, box pews (pews with doors) which cover almost the whole of the ground floor and gallery.

But what is believed to have been the main entrance is now blocked and there are no architects drawings or plans of the interior to show the original pew layout. The North door was approached by the ‘Long Carry’, the path from Great King Street which runs through what was the graveyard. But the door has long been bricked up and box pews run down the whole side, filling in the recess. The quality of the workmanship makes it difficult to spot the joins.

Who originally used the North Door, why was it blocked and when and which are the ‘new’ pews? The Roe-naissance Project is a community group working to find a new life for the church. Enthusiasts John Knight and Alan Brant have been researching the history of the Christ Church’s pews over 340 years and are calling for help.

Former planner, John Knight said “It’s been fascinating sifting through the records and we’ve discovered how pews were rented to pay the minister’s salary, found bills for work done in the church and know more about removal of pews in the 20th Century, but we haven’t found any records of the additions. Was it just too draughty having a door on the North side? And if there was an opening between the pews how far across did the aisle come for funeral corteges to process in? We’d love to know to help tell the story of the building and the families who worshiped here.”

Heritage Open Days: children and church detectives welcome!

Christ Church will be open 11am – 4pm on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September as part of the Heritage Open Days national festival. Members of The Roe-naissance Project will be on hand and hope local people will come and explore the building, examine the pews and offer any insights they may have.

John Knight added: “Families who once went to the church might just have old papers lingering in the loft, architecture enthusiasts might fancy testing their detective skills or there may be experts in Georgian architecture in the town. We’d love to hear from them.”

There will also be FREE indoor Treasure Hunt for children aged 4 and over from local artist Helen Wright, 12-2pm on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th September (under 8 will need the help of an adult). There’ll also be an opportunity to imagine the church’s future.

Musicians are invited to come and play the impressive organ – last used in the hugely successful family theatre show ‘The Astronomer’s Story’ performed in Christ Church as part of Macclesfield Barnaby Festival.

Christ Church Bridge Street, Macclesfield SK11 6EG is one of ten town centre buildings not normally open to the public which are taking part in Heritage Open Days which runs from 8th – 11th September, including the Town Hall, King Edward Street Chapel, Park Green House and Charles Roe House. A Medieval Walk led by historian Dorothy Bentley Smith can be booked through Macclesfield Visitor Information Centre.

Heritage Open Days is England’s biggest festival of history and culture involving over 40,000 volunteers. Every year over four days in September, thousands of events across the country invite you in to explore local treasures of every age, style and function. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all free. Search www.heritageopendays.org.uk for details of the events and activities in Macclesfield.

Please contact TheRoenaissanceProject@gmail.com visit facebook or twitter @christchurchmac for more details about playing the organ or to join the mailing list.