Minshull URC

During that period two Presbyterian ministers and one independent minister were the incumbents at the church in Church Minshull until the restoration of the Monarchy under Charles II.

The story of our small country chapel goes back to 1806, when an independent chapel was founded by the Jackson Brothers of Minshull at first meeting together in their farmhouse. By 1808 there were 11 members and in 1810 the current chapel building was opened at Cross Lanes. Cross Lanes was literally that. A path at the side of Chapel Farm leads to Warmingham and still forms a cross roads with three other roads. The chapel was in a very strategic position because within a few miles were all the towns and villages of south Cheshire. 

Sundays must have been very hectic with all those children and their parents, the latter no doubt catching up with all the gossip and the progress of the Napoleonic Wars. Not a lot changes, sadly only the names of the wars.

1888 was an important year. New pitch pine pews, which are still there, were added and it is recorded that the church was 'beautified'. We do know that block flooring was laid, new windows were added and a new heating system was installed. A new organ replaced the harmonium and a new school room was built for the sum of £469 18s 7d, including  the £61 for the cost of an American organ. £120 had been donated by friends outside the congregation. We still have many friends who attend our special services. The remainder was donated by the congregation, an amount which in those days must have meant sacrificial giving by many of them.

In the centenary year in 1906, extensive renovation work was undertaken and the chapel reopened with 400 people sitting down for tea in a marquee in an adjoining field. People would have travelled long distance many by horse power. The original stables are still here with chains to tether the horses and a saddle hook on the wall.