Chadkirk Chapel

Chadkirk Chapel is a Grade II* listed former place of worship in Chadkirk, close to Romiley in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport, Greater Manchester. Its oldest fabric goes back to the 16th century, yet the spot is tied to a story that reaches back much further. Today the chapel belongs to Stockport Council and hosts weddings and community events.

What is Chadkirk Chapel?

The building stands on Chadkirk Lane, in the green Goyt Valley setting of the Chadkirk estate. The name means "the church of Chad". Local legend says the chapel occupies the site of a monastic cell founded by St Chad in the 7th century. The first explicit written mention of the chapel dates from 1535.

What is the history of the chapel?

The Davenport family held the estate from 1381 and used the chapel as a chantry in the 16th century. When chantry chapels were being suppressed, the family argued that this was their own family chapel, used for christenings, burials and weddings, and it was allowed to stay open.

In the 1640s a Puritan congregation worshipped here. In 1686 the chapel was registered as a Nonconformist place of worship, the first in Cheshire. The Nonconformists were evicted in 1705 and built a new chapel at nearby Hatherlow. The Church of England then restored the building in the middle of the 18th century.

In 1865 a new church opened in Romiley and drew the congregation away. The chapel fell into disrepair, was renovated again, and eventually stopped holding regular services. It was declared redundant in 1971.

What can you see inside?

A restoration in the 1990s gave the interior some modern artwork. The carved oak panelling that shows scenes from the life of St Chad, along with the metal Tree of Life and the altarpieces, is the work of the British artist Ben Coode-Adams. The sandstone statue of St Chad and the altar were made by the Liverpool-born sculptor Tom Dagnall.

What is St Chad's Well?

Beside Vale Road, within the estate, you will find St Chad's Well, also called the Holy Well. It is fed by a natural spring. The stone housing around it dates from the 18th or 19th century, and local accounts link the site with pagan worship before it was Christianised. In 1994 Stockport Council commissioned an archaeological survey of the well's surviving structure.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chadkirk Chapel still used for services? Regular worship ended long ago. The chapel now serves for weddings and community events.

Who owns it? Stockport Council.

How old is the chapel? Parts of the building are 16th century, and tradition places a religious site here from the 7th century.

Where is it? On Chadkirk Lane, near Romiley, in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

Is there more to see nearby? Yes. St Chad's Well lies on the estate beside Vale Road, and the surrounding Goyt Valley countryside is good for a walk.