Chapel hopes to install lift

11:50am Tuesday 8th July 2008

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ONE of the oldest chapels in Knutsford is seeking permission to make it easier for its aging congregation to get to church.

The Unitarian Chapel wants to install a lift and create new pathways to the chapel where author Elizabeth Gaskell is buried.

Currently many older church-goers struggle to climb the slippery steps which lead from the grade II listed schoolroom to the grade I listed chapel, and the cobbled paths are difficult for those in wheelchairs. “The pathways are very steep and we’ve got people who are 96 years old,” said Reg Jones, chairman of the church management committee.

To help, the committee has come up with a £250,000 plan of action.

The plans have taken more than two years to come to fruition because the committee and Macclesfield Borough Council were anxious to preserve the character of the site.

“There will be no alterations to the chapel,” said Mr Jones.

“Whatever we do in the schoolroom will be in keeping with the rest of the site.”

The two new proposed paths will make it easier for people to get to the chapel and also visit Mrs Gaskell’s grave.

A cabin lift, if approved, will be installed inside the schoolroom and a bridge will be built across the alleyway to connect it to the graveyard.

If the church receives enough financial backing, the committee also hopes to extend the schoolroom to create another lecture room, a store room and a toilet.

The chapel is banking on funding from Manchester Airport, Macclesfield Borough Council and other local organisations.