CheshireNETHERALDERLEYStMary(grassrootsgroundswellCC-BY-2.0)1 GrassrootsGroundswell

St Mary

One of Cheshire’s gems tucked away down one of Alderley's lanes, the 14th century church owes many of its features to the patronage of the Stanley family.

Nether Alderley, Cheshire

Opening times

Sorry, there are no regular opening times for this church.

Address

Church Lane
Nether Alderley
Cheshire
SK10 4TW

Alderley was granted a market charter in 1243, suggesting that some or of worship was already established. The old Saxon preaching cross and the 1200 year old yew tree certainly support this. The 13th church was built of local sandstone with a Kerridge stone slate roof. Typical of the area, the clerestory was added approximately 150 years later.

Above the door is the Stanley crest. This prominent family is celebrated widely inside the church. A white marble sarcophagus contains the ashes of the 4th Lord and those of his wife, Mary Katharine. It is decorated with a band of cherubs and garlands. There are two brass plaques on the wall, one for the 4th Lord and his wife and one for their second son who was killed in 1908.

One fine trubute to the family is the Stanley Memorial window. Henrietta Maria Stanley, wife of the 2nd Lord Stanley of Alderley donated this window in 1860. She had 12 children but sadly three of the girls, Olga, Cecilia and Mary Ethelfreda, died in infancy. This window is in the memory of these children. It was designed and created by Messrs Edmondson and Son of Angel Street, Manchester.

The Grade II listed mausoleum was built in 1909 for the 4th Lord Stanley of Alderley.

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Glorious furnishings

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Captivating architecture

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Parking within 250m

  • On street parking at church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Dog friendly

  • Church of England

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St Peter

Macclesfield, Cheshire

An early Victorian, Gothic Church (Grade II Listed) of relatively simple but effective design, reordered in 2005 to create a highly attractive and flexible space for both worship and community activities.

Christ Church

Macclesfield, Cheshire

Magnificent Georgian church in Macclesfield town centre.

St Alban

Macclesfield, Cheshire

A Catholic, Grade II* listed church, designed in 1838 by renowned Victorian architect AW Pugin, that hides a magnificent interior with many significant original features.