St Michael and All Angels Church, Mottram in Longdendale

St Michael's Church.

This church stands on an imposing position on Warhill overlooking Mottram in Longdendale. The earliest evidence of a church on the site is in 1225 when the clergy witnessed local documents and another reference to the church is in a taxation document dated 1291. However, the present church, built in the perpendicular style, dates from the end of the 15th century and externally it retains much of its Medieval character.

Sir Edmund Shaa (c.1427-20 Apr 1488), lived locally but rose to fame and fortune in London and became the Lord Mayor of London on the 13 Oct 1482. He left money for the building of the tower of St Michael’s Church and it is possible that the whole church was rebuilt at the same time, or maybe as an enlargement of the earlier church.

In Mar 1994 a blue plaque was unveiled on Church Brow, Mottram in Longdendale, by Tameside Metropolitan Borough to commemorate Sir Edmund Shaa.

TAMESIDE METROPOLITAN BOROUGH SIR EDMUND SHAA LORD MAYOR OF LONDON, 1482 A man of Mottram who found fortune in London. He founded Stockport Grammar School and Woodhead Chapel. He financed the building of Mottram Church Tower. Unveiled by Councillor Roy Oldham March 1994

In 1852 it was agreed that the church needed restoration work and in 1853 Edwin Hugh Shellard of Manchester was appointed as the architect. The work included taking down the clerestory and roof from the side aisles, leaving only the outer walls and chancel standing. Nevertheless, Edwin Hugh Shellard was replaced by John Edgar Gregan of Manchester as architect and the contractors were Eaton & Hollas (John Eaton & Joseph Hollas) of Ashton-under-Lyne. The work was carried out between 1854 and 1856 and the church was reconsecrated on the 25 Jun 1856 by the Rt Revd John Graham, Bishop of Chester.

Gate piers, steps and walls to the Graveyard
Listed Grade II, List Entry No. 1068029.

Left: Gate piers, capped with acorn finials, and decorative ironwork gates.
Right: Doorway with datestone engraved, TMB 1769.

Sundial in the Graveyard to south of St Michael and All Angels Church
This sundial is dated 1811 and it is comprised of a stepped octagonal ashlar plinth that supports a circular shaft with an octagonal base and octagonal head. The sundial face had a copper gnomen and dial marked with Roman numerals.

The Cross at Mottram in Longdendale
This stone cross, officially known as the ‘Cross at Mottram in Longdendale’, is located at Warhill adjacent to St Michael and All Angels Church. Also known as the ‘Warhill Cross’, it is now a sundial but it is unclear when it was first built or when the sundial was added. It is almost certainly medieval in origin and it is known that it was heavily restored in 1760 and again in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria’s reign.

The cross is comprised of a stepped circular ashlar plinth that supports an octagonal tapered shaft mounted on a moulded base with a foliate capital above which is a cuboid sundial with the front and side faces having copper gnomens.

Left: The cross, now a sundial, adjacent to St Michael's Church.
Right: Detail of the front face of the sundial.

Inscription on the front face of the sundial above the gnomen:
Hora Pars Vitae(An hour is part of life)

Inscription on the back face of the sundial:
Watch and Pray
Time hastes away
When Time is done
Eternity comes on

Inscription on the circular plinth:
RESTORED
IN COMMEMORATION OF
THE SIXTIETH YEAR OF
QUEEN VICTORIA
1897

Sir Ralph Staveley (or de Staveleigh) and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Staveley
The Staveley Chapel of St Michael’s Church contains two sandstone effigies, which are believed to be those of Sir Ralph Staveley (c.1362-c.1420) and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Staveley, dating from the early 15th century. The two effigies, in all likelihood, represent the knight and his wife and these were originally placed against the south wall of the church.

Sir Ralph Staveley was Lord of the Manor of Staley Hall, Stalybridge. The hall dates back to at least the early 15th century but the earliest records of the de Staveleigh family as Lords of the Manor of Staley date from the early 13th century. Staley Hall was the family residence and it is referred to in the diaries of Sir Ralph Staveley in the early 15th century. The hall was originally timber framed but it was stone-clad in the 17th century.

The hall, which is situated off Huddersfield Rd, Millbrook, Stalybridge, ultimately became derelict but in 2009 permission was granted for a housing development that included the restoration of the hall.

Staley Hall and adjoining West Wing are listed Grade II*, List Entry No. 1163021.

Woodhead Chapel

This chapel is located on the Woodhead Pass, near the head of the Longdendale Valley, off the north side of Woodhead Rd, Crowden/Tintwistle, High Peak. Historically, this area was once part of Cheshire.

It is also known as St James’s Church and the date of its foundation is taken to be not later than 1487. Following the death of Sir Edmund Shaa in 1488 he left a bequest to pay for a priest, "in a chapel that I have made in Longdendale", who would sing his Mass and say divine service for ever more. It was built as a Chapel of Ease for the mother church of St Michael and All Angels in Mottram in Longdendale. The two buildings are about 5.9-miles apart.

However, the present building, built on the foundations of the original building, dates from the mid-18th century. It is rectangular in plan and is built with coursed rubble gritstone with gritstone dressings. The wooden turret on the west gable was added in the 20th century.

The chapel is listed Grade II under the name, Church of St James, List Entry No. 1203925.