Parish Church goes on town tourist trail

St Chad's, Rochdale Parish Church

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Rochdale’s historic parish church, St Chad’s, opens its doors to drop-in visitor’s midweek afternoons from next week and through the summer.

Guides will show visitors - some local from around the corner to others, from across the world - round the treasured building that tells the story of Rochdale down the centuries.

“There is so much tradition here at St Chad’s,” says a spokesman. “This is the oldest Christian church for miles around, and still serving the Rochdale of today, hosting the town’s civic occasions, weddings and baptisms.

“We hope visitors stepping for a moment or two into the past will be refreshed in the present and inspired for the future.”

This year St Chad’s will be on the town’s new ‘Gracie Fields Trail.’ Millgirl-to-international-superstar Gracie’s parents were married in the church, and Gracie herself baptised there in 1898.

Rochdale’s historic parish church, St Chad’s will be on the town’s heritage trail from Wednesday 7 June to September, open 2.00pm – 4.00 pm Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.