Oven Lane Forest Macclesfield
https://www.rainowchurches.org/forest-chapel

St Stephen's is the oldest of the three churches, set in the beautiful scenery above Macclesfield Forest. The chapel serves the local community and the many walkers and cyclists that come from all over the country to take a moment of peace and reflection in a place where people have worshipped for over 340 years.​

If you are passing through, please do take a moment to add your name to the visitor's book and place any prayer requests in the basket provided. We're always glad to hear from those who have dropped by and include you in our prayers.

​

Accessibility

Forest Chapel is situated in a small hamlet, which is accessed by narrow, winding roads that can be difficult to navigate, particularly in the winter months. The entrance, however, is wide and there are no steps to navigate. Inside, the flooring is level, but fixed pews reduce wheelchair access.

Parking

There is limited parking outside the church. For larger events, more parking is available on request.

Toilets

There is a single unisex toilet within the church.

​Services

Please find below a brief summary of the main services provided at Forest Chapel. There are different styles to suit a range of different tastes and temperaments. For more information regarding service times, please see the Services tab above.

Evensong

Though Evensong is traditionally choral, our service is a more relaxed, prayerful and meditative one for those looking for a quiet space in amongst the busyness of life.

Light in the Forest

This is a lay-led service held every Wednesday, during which prayers are said for all those that have left prayer requests in the basket and/or filled in the visitor's book.

Rushbearing

This is an annual service held on the first Sunday after the 12th August, which celebrates the changing of the rushes. It is a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, when most buildings had earthen floors and rushes were placed on top as a form of renewable floor covering. A review of this service can be found on the Ship of Fools website.

Carol Service

The carol service at Forest Chapel is traditionally held on Christmas Eve.

Nabbs Road Wildboarclough Macclesfield
01260 253945
http://www.peakparishes.org.uk/

Peak Parishes is the name we have given our Benefice* which is a group of Christian churches.

We were created on 1st October 2014 and the formal description of our Benefice is "St James, Sutton, St Michael, Wincle, St Saviour, Wildboarclough and St Mary the Virgin, Bosley in the Deanery of Macclesfield". We are part of the Chester Diocese within the Church of England. Our vicar is Revd John Harries.

We were not sure what to call ourselves and have based our name on some common geographical aspects. We are situated at the south-west border of the Peak District National Park. Two of our parishes, Wildboarclough and Wincle, are inside the Peak District, the other two, Bosley and Sutton, are just outside, all on the Peak District border. We also have a number of peaks such as Bosley Cloud, Shutlingsloe and Teggs Nose within our parishes.

Macclesfield Forest, Wildboarclough, SK11 0AR
(01260) 253245
theforestdistillery.com/cat-fiddle/

Now principally a Gin & Whisky distillery with tours available. Home to Forest Gin & Whisky. Comfortable bar area with one cask ale from Robinsons and three keg beers. You may be able to get a table on a "walk-up" basis but those who have b...

Nabbs Road, Wildboarclough, SK11 0BD
(01260) 227239

A beautiful pub in totally rural area, Stunning countryside and views. Excellent place for enjoying a drink when finishing your walk. Only bottled beers available. Spring-water available from source under pub. Originally a farm built 1629,...

Walker Barn, SK11 0AW

Closed around 2007, converted to house. Picture from 2020. This is the last description... Built in 1740 as part of a thriving farming and quarrying community, the Setter Dog probably began life as a coaching house, and is reputed to have...

Bottom of the Oven, Macclesfield Forest, SK11 0AR
(01260) 252414
stanleyarms.com

A beautiful pub in totally rural area, Stunning countryside and views. Excellent place for a residential stopover with footpaths in all directions. Luxury en-suite bedrooms. Separate dining room away from bar area which has three smaller ro...