Church lecture a hit with residents
A HISTORIAN told tales from historic churches in the first of a series of community lectures for the year.
Organisers report an excellent turnout of 75 guests for the first in the series of Langley Lectures for 2015.
Matthew Hyde, an architectural historian who lives in Macclesfield, talked about some of the country’s ‘lost’ churches. This included St Michael’s Church in Macclesfield, which was founded in the 13th century by Eleanor of Castille.
Heather Self, from Langley Lectures, said: “Matthew told us that although there is still a thriving church on the site, much of the original building has been lost.
“He explained there are still signs to be seen if you know where to look.
“Matthew took us on a fascinating tour of some of the country’s lost churches, from tiny overgrown buildings to an enormous chapel in Yorkshire which is now an Indian restaurant.
“He talked about some of the many Welsh chapels, such as the Bethesda chapel which gave its name to the town in Snowdonia but is now flats.
“He showed one of the most famous pictures of a scene inside one such chapel, a portrait of an elderly lady in a shawl which was so frightening to children that she may have contributed to the decline in chapel attendance.
“It was a fascinating talk.”
The next lecture is entitled ‘Shale Gas – More Heat than Light?’ today (Wednesday), 7.45pm at Langley Methodist Church, Main Road, Langley.
Everyone is welcome and asked to pay £2.50 which goes to local charities.