Twixt Forest and Moors…….Two Hidden Gems

The best Spring day so far this year, temperatures rising, a clear blue sky but with that warmth came a ‘heat’ haze that remained with us all day adding a misty look to the moors.  Moors that are still bare after the winter snows, bracken now dry and rusty in colour crumbling under the feet of walkers and sheep.  The area we are exploring is along the Cheshire Derbyshire border and has been known as the Macclesfield Forest since ancient times covering an undulating area to the west of the Peak District, an area crisscrossed with Pack Horse trails and the  long established ‘Salters’ Way…a network of trails used to transport and trade in Salt across the country, Salt of course being one of the most precious of commodities.

Open Moorland gives way to deep valleys cut through with the many streams, and  Packhorse Bridges, that drain the moor. Soon Woodland covers many of the slopes.  It is a tranquil area today, certainly farming plays a big role but I guess it is Leisure activities that top the list of visitors.  But hidden away are two Chapels…little Gems of the Forest.

St. Stephens or “The Forest Chapel”.   Macclesfield Forest

Secluded, in the heart of the valley, St. Stephen’s is close to the Manor House, School Room and surround by a farming community which at one time had the Chapel as its centre.  Indeed the Chapel is still used for worship, community gatherings and obviously well cared for.  The interior is simple in style yet full of character and has a welcoming spirit about it….

The windows are plain apart from the one stained glass window beyond the alter.  Heavy Oak beams and wooden pews give that feeling of solidity….stating that the Chapel is here to stay for many many years to come. Built in 1673 and partially rebuilt in 1834 St. Stephens will have seen much history pass its door.  No doubt  a great number of generation have passed through that door for worship, christening, weddings and of course finally their funerals as is testified in the crowded Graveyard with its expansive views over the moors….

I mentioned Salter’s Ways, so lets press onto Saltersford…..so named as it was at the cross roads of three of the main Salt routes across England.  Hard to believe that this cross roads was a trading point and even held an annual Horse Fair (no doubt for the countless Packhorses needed for the Salters trade).

It is also at this spot that we find the second Gem of the Forest…..   Jenkin Chapel

Jenkin Chapel, Saltersford

Jenkin Chapel is much more exposed in location to St. Stephens.  There are some similarities in construction. Both have a rugged but plain exterior and both share a Saddleback roofed Bell Tower.  You could be fooled into thinking that Jenkin Chapel was the elder of the two but was in fact built in 1733.  It was also built by the local community, with local funds, local material. When the task was completed they then ha raise funds to engage a Minister. It is always hard to look at these country communities an imagine the size of congregations and importance the Chapel (or Church) had for the locals.  Again the Graveyard gives clues to numbers and their life spans

The interior of Jenkin Chapel is plain and business like.  The large windows providing much needed light. Solid Wooden Box Pews must have been uncomfortable and the heavy pulpit dominated the congregation.  The Alter is simple and backed by simple coloured glass windows (though these are not as old as the Chapel)……

Why Jenkin as a name for this Chapel, after all chapels and churches have ‘saintly’ names.  Well not in this case.  There are many suggested stories but perhaps the most likely (in my view) is that Jenkin was a Welsh Salt Traders and established the Salt Trading Post at these cross roads…..and Post was exactly what a trading post was, just a post to mark the spot. So Jenkin Chapel became the name.

Whatever the origins of the name it is still a lonely, evocative moorland location and such a simple yet stylish building….and yes, it is also still in use a place of worship, even though it is now only once a month.

24th April (C) David Oakes 2015