King Edward Street Unitarian Chapel

From Macclesfield Library, the chapel can be found down a narrow passage way on the left hand side of King Edward St.

The simple barnlike Chapel is of local stones "from the common". The first meeting of Dissenters in Macclesfield was on August 24th 1690. The names of all those, brave enough in uncertain times to buy a seat and to commit themselves to contribute to the cost of the building, are still in the chapel’s possession and can be consulted. The list is remarkable for the number of women buying seats in their own right. In 1765 the Chapel was bought by John Brocklehurst and was closely associated with this family of silk manufacturers until the 1890s. In the mid 1830s the building was simply Gothicised and in 1927/8 it was carefully renovated. The Chapel remains plain and simple and is Grade 2* listed.

Open: We welcome visitors through out the year but it is essential to telephone first.