St. Chad -Cheadle

Introduction

The church is in the North Italian Romanesque style. The first church on the site was a corrugated-iron chapel dedicated to Saint Chad, blessed on 2nd October 1904.

History

Saint Chad's Parish began as a Mass Centre served from Edgeley, with Mass first celebrated in 1900 in a private chapel at Cheadle Old Hall. The priest at Edgeley purchased an area of open ground on Stockport Road between Bank Street and Jackson Street, where a corrugated iron chapel was constructed as a Chapel of Ease. In 1928 Father Peter Lancelot Pears was appointed to Cheadle as the first resident priest. Bishop Hugh Singleton laid the foundation stone on 24th August 1930, and the church was completed and opened on 15th February 1931. Father Peter Lancelot Pears was parish priest from 1928 to 1938.

Architecture and furnishings

The baldacchino had to be removed so that the altar could be brought forward for Mass facing the people. A single manual organ replaced the failing harmonium in 1960, and was upgraded to two manuals in 1979. A new sound system was installed in church, the floor was sanded and varnished, the sanctuary carpet was replaced, and a whole matching set of furniture was installed in the sanctuary, personalised with the Cross of Saint Chad.

Music and liturgy

St Chad’s Singers is an informal community choir that meets weekly on Thursday evening, performing a varied repertoire of musicals and popular music, with two concerts a year. It is advised to have the parish organist present for funeral services.

The parish has a Children’s Liturgy on Sunday mornings during school term time in the Church Hall, with children joining the congregation at the Offertory. Confirmation takes place jointly with parishioners from Saint Ann’s and Christ Church. The parish has a flourishing Conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, meeting in the parish hall after Mass on Tuesday evenings. Saint Chad’s has its own drama group, Saint Chad’s Players, which stages a pantomime each January.

The parish has a Tuesday Coffee Morning after Mass with knitting, crocheting, and salsa. The parish has a Piety Stall open after all Masses on an honesty system. The parish has a Parish Forum that meets about every two months, open to all.

Visiting

The parish has a Lourdes group that includes young people who care for sick and disabled pilgrims, taking part every year since 2000. The parish has a small choir, led by Victoria Holmes, to enhance the liturgy on Sundays.