Our Church - Past, Present and Future

Methodism has been around in Macclesfield for 200 years or so, and our old chapel, in Bollin Grove, was built in 1814/5.  It was a great testimony to previous generations that the chapel survived, and often thrived, during this time.  However, there were also periods of struggle, and through the 1960's and 1970's the fellowship went through a relatively lean time.  It was like many other small village chapels, sustained by a few faithful worshippers who kept the fellowship together.

But clearly God did not intend the church here to stay this way, and through the 1980's a number of families moved into Prestbury, and over a few years the congregation gradually grew in number and decreased in average age. Membership in 1980 stood at 19. By 1990 it had risen to around 40.

Not only did the numbers increase, but the wealth of talent and ability increased also, so that we were able to make a bigger impact in the village. We started our concerts, holding coffee mornings, more social events, and for the first time, Prestbury moved to morning services every week.  We started a worship band, and all the while new people were being attracted to our church, which is just as well because a number of the newcomers moved out again away from Prestbury, as is the way with a transient population like Prestbury’s.

As we grew, it was becoming obvious that we were outgrowing our small chapel, and however fond the memories, we would need to address this problem in the near future.  After much debate, lead by the minister Rev Derek Hinchliffe, we decided that the only option was to build a new church and add more meeting rooms and modern facilities.  With land being at a premium and no suitable site being available, it was decided that we should re-develop our existing site.  Plans were drawn and submitted for planning permission, and we were told that they would not be passed, and that our only option was to look for another site in Prestbury.  Where, and at what cost? Our spirits were at rock-bottom.

A chance conversation a few days later with a member of the parish council revealed that the site we are now on was available, being sold off by Norweb.  It had housed a sub-station but this had been moved, and they were looking to sell-off the plot.  Not only that, but they only wanted £75,000 for a plot that could be worth far more if approved for housing.  The old chapel was valued for sale, and it was placed at around £75,000, so we would effectively get a new and much bigger site, in a prime location, for no cost.

Negotiations were concluded, and with many problems overcome we finally bought the plot on 30 March 2000.  Original estimates for our new building were around £250,000, but soon climbed to £375,000.  Through our own pledges, fundraising and generous grants from the Methodist Church and Joseph Rank Trust we achieved this, only to discover tenders at over £500,000!  We pressed on in faith. The old chapel was put up for sale, and finally realised the princely sum of £187,000.  This gain of over £100,000 over estimate meant that we could complete the building without any residual debt, and the new church was opened for worship in February 2002.

Closing service march, 15 April 2001	Laying the foundation stone, 20 July 2001

As we look back we can see the hand of God guiding our every step so that His church is where he wanted it to be.  Now, with our ever-growing congregation and the activities we are engaged in, we could not possibly have carried on in the old chapel, for the very best of reasons – it was far too small.

Rev. John Squares, Easter 2005

For the future, that is still very much in God's hands.  One of our prime reasons for building the new church was so that we could reach out further into the community, with a building that could be used in a number of new and exciting ways.  We are still exploring God's vision and will for us here in the village and the wider community.