Cheshire Memories: Sing to save Christ Church in Macclesfield
Christ Church, Macclesfield, commissioned in 1776 by a famous local industrialist Charles Roe, is throwing open its doors and its history as it joins with other historic churches at risk across England in a unique public singing event over the weekend of 3 -4 October.
Called Birthday Song, the weekend sees 40 choirs performing in 40 of the most nationally significant historic churches cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust, celebrating the charity's 40th birthday by providing local people with a unique opportunity to rediscover these magnificent buildings, including Christ Church.
Churches will be jumping to music as varied as songs from the shows, Barbershop, sing alongs and classics, providing opportunities for everyone. Leading up to Birthday Song, visitors can vote for which song they want to sing [details below].
The Churches Conservation Trust is the national charity protecting England's historic churches at risk. These are the most significant historic churches which are no longer needed for regular worship. Birthday Song enables people to discover the joy these ancient churches can bring and find out how they can be saved for future generations through contemporary community use.
Christ Church's event and booking information
The Manchester Chorale have taken the 40th anniversary theme and will lead a workshop focusing on Thomas Tallis' iconic choral work, Spem in Alium, composed for 40 independent voices. Beginning at 2pm on 3rd October, the workshop will be followed by an informal concert at 5pm with a spectacular performance of Spem in Alium and current repertoire highlights from Manchester Chorale. Cost: workshop ã10 (ã5 for concessions), concert free of charge. Please register in advance by email
Nationally significant churches throw open their doors
Each of the 40 churches is nationally significant and Birthday Song provides people with wonderful opportunities to explore our national and local history. Examples range from those built by William The Conqueror's knights for subjugation of the Welsh, glorious tributes to murdered sons, nationally important architecture, resting places of the famous, sites of Civil war conflict, beacons of hope used to guide Allied fighter pilots home during the Second World War, through to those destroyed by the marauding French...and the odd earthquake! Full listings at www.visitchurches.org.uk/birthdaysong
Vote for the song you want to sing!
The Churches Conservation Trust has listed ten of the best-loved and familiar songs for you to choose from on its website - www.visitchurches.org.uk/birthdaysong. Simply visit the website and choose the song you want to sing, options range from Swing Low Sweet Chariot and Jerusalem to Greensleeves and Amazing Grace. The winning song, as voted for by you, will be revealed at the local concerts!
Singing to Save
The Churches Conservation Trust is the national charity protecting historic churches at risk, such as Christ Church. The charity cares for over 300 churches, bringing them back into the heart of community life, ensuring their future survival and protection by opening them up to local communities for everyday use. Anyone can use the charity's churches, examples of contemporary uses range from nursery groups to circus schools.
However, the Churches Conservation Trust has an annual funding shortfall of ã1.5m per year and urgently needs support and donations to continue its work. Money raised through the concerts will go towards the conservation work of the Trust, but the main aim of the concerts is to encourage people to discover the joys of these ancient buildings and help bring them back into wider community use - helping ensure their upkeep and survival.
Jools Holland, Vice President, the Churches Conservation Trust, said: "The Churches Conservation Trust does a fantastic job of keeping our most ancient and important churches alive and I fully support its work. I hope as many people as possible will join the Trust in celebrating its 40th anniversary by attending these great concerts. There is something quiet magical about the churches and the spectacular experience to hear them filled with song and music."
Rosi Lister, Regional Manager, The Churches Conservation Trust, said: "Churches such as Christ Church, Macclesfield are a vital part of our country's heritage and a focal point for communities and keepers of our local and national history, but they are at risk. The Trust believes these magnificent buildings must be conserved for present and future generations by putting them back at the heart of contemporary community life, and opened up for the enjoyment of everyone".
"The concerts celebrate the Charity's 40th birthday by providing people with a fantastic opportunity to experience how these great, historic, buildings can be used and enjoyed all year round. Singing will bring these spaces alive in a truly wonderful way - harking back over hundreds of years of community use and bringing ancient acoustics to life for everyone to enjoy. I hope as many people as possible will come along."
The Churches Conservation Trust has two churches in Cheshire. They can be used all year round and everyone is welcome. To find out more about historic churches in the region, visit www.visitchurches.org.uk or call the charity's regional office on 01833 650424.
More information bout Christ Church, Macclesfield:
This is a large and impressive town church built in 1775-76 at the expense of Charles Roe, a local industrialist who was prominent in the development of the silk industry in Macclesfield. The church is built of brick, with cast-iron columns supporting the galleries inside. This is a very early use of cast iron in a church and may reflect Roe's innovative and entrepreneurial character. The church is very plain inside and originally had clear glass in all windows. In the 19th century, however, some of these were replaced with fine stained glass by some of the best known manufacturers of the time. The east window glass was given in memory of Charles Roe's son, daughter-in-law and grandson. Another window, depicting the Good Samaritan, commemorates David Simpson, the much-loved first minister of Christ Church. Roe's own ornate monument, in marble, is on the south wall. It lists a detailed description of his achievements and shows in relief his silk mill (with waterwheel), his copper works in Liverpool, and Christ Church itself. The original pulpit was more than 3.5 metres high, allowing the preacher to command the attention of his congregation throughout this large church. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism preached from this pulpit at least 12 times. Though now somewhat altered, the pulpit still survives. The church has a fine ring of 10 bells, which are still used regularly.
Ancient Bells On Your Mobile in Novel New CCT Ring Tone
Show your support for the Churches Conservation Trust, by downloading a free unique peel of bells for your mobile. The 140 year old bells at St. John The Baptist Church, Avon Dassett, Warwickshire rang for the first time in 30 years this year thanks to a ã700,000 restoration project from the Churches Conservation Trust. The ring was recorded and turned into a ring tone for mobile phones - a modern must for heritage lovers and technology fans alike. Ring tone download details at: www.visitchurches.org.uk.
More about the Churches Conservation Trust:
The Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) is the national charity protecting England's historic churches at risk. These are the most significant historic churches which are no longer needed for regular worship. It promotes public enjoyment of these churches, and encourages their use as an educational and community resource. It currently cares for some 340 churches. Information about the Trust's work and all its churches is on the website www.visitchurches.org.uk. The Chairman of the Trust is Loyd Grossman OBE FSA, who was appointed in 2007, and Crispin Truman is Chief Executive. The Churches Conservation Trust was established under Ecclesiastical Law on 1 April 1969.
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