Parish Church of St Chad, Rochdale, Grade II* listed church in Rochdale, England.
The Parish Church of St Chad is a Gothic Revival church in Rochdale, set on a hilltop above the town centre, with a tall tower and ornamental bell stages. Inside, the nave is supported by a mix of round and octagonal pillars that give the space a varied and open feel.
The origins of the church go back before 1170, and the site is thought to have been used for worship even in Anglo-Saxon times. Major restoration work carried out in the 19th century gave the building much of the appearance it has today.
The church is named after St Chad, an Anglo-Saxon saint still venerated in this part of northern England. Inside, the Dearden Chapel holds family brasses and memorial stones that show how closely the building has been tied to local families over the generations.
The church sits on high ground above Rochdale town centre, and reaching it requires climbing a long flight of steps from the lower town. The elevated position means you get a good view over the rooftops once you arrive at the top.
A local legend says that spirits moved the building stones overnight from the riverbank to the hilltop, pointing to where the church was meant to stand. This story is one of the best-known pieces of folklore attached to any church in the Rochdale area.
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