St Edward the Confessor- Macclesfield

Introduction

The dedication of Saint Edward the Confessor in Macclesfield records the gift of silk manufacturer Edward Lomas and his wife Henrietta, who provided the new church, the land and all the fittings and furniture. Just before World War II, the parish was formed out of the southern part of Saint Alban's parish. The church was consecrated on 26th April 1939, a few months before the Second World War.

History

Inter-war expansion of the Moss Rose residential housing in south Macclesfield created the need for the new parish. The Bishop of Shrewsbury, with canons, assistant clergy and the Salvatorium clergy choir of Christleton Hall near Chester, collected the relics of the saints deposited the previous day. The bishop blessed salt and water, made three circuits sprinkling the outer walls, and after the third knock the door was opened for the dedication of the interior. Ashes were spread on the church floor in the form of a cross, and the bishop traced Greek and Latin letters on them.

The altar was consecrated, and the bishop made three circuits of the inner walls sprinkling them with holy water. High Mass after the consecration was presided over by the parish priest of Saint Alban's. There were no benches at the consecration, and benches and kneelers were delivered and carried in as the first congregation entered. The bishop anointed each of the 12 consecration crosses, and the altar furnishings were blessed.

Chaplaincy of the local General Hospital has been combined with pastoral care since the middle of 2006. In early 2014, the Banner Group came together. Banners are displayed in church and regularly changed in accordance with the liturgical year.

Notable people and events

Edward Lomas, benefactor of Saint Edward the Confessor Church, was born in Rainow in March 1873 and came from a farming family. Edward Lomas, his daughter May and his wife Henrietta were present on the day Saint Edward's Church was consecrated. A picture taken on the day Saint Edward's Church was consecrated shows the first parish priest with the bishop. Frederick Walsh was a parish priest of Saint Edward the Confessor, Macclesfield, in 1939-1943 and is listed RIP 28-09-1963.