St Cuthbert's Online
Where is St. Cuthbert's? Where is St. Cuthbert's?
History

The Chancel ScreenResources From Within
A young man had moved up from Newcastle-under-Lyme and was lodging with a Mrs. Jones on Platt Street. He was hoping one day to go into the ministry and was being helped in his studies by the Rector. Like St. Cuthbert, he was a good student and a hard worker. He was very well regarded at St. Cuthbert's always willing to love and serve. His name was Harry Greatbatch, affectionately known as 'Brother Harry' and he grew into the position of lay-reader in 1910.

It was at this time that the Chancel Screen was erected, in memory of David Moore of Bramhall. Also, the two wooden chairs, now at the front of Church, were donated by the Bible Classes.

Brother Harry had a year 'off' in 1912 to study at St. Stephen's College, Oxford and on Trinity Sunday 1913 he was ordained deacon in Chester Cathedral and a year later priested in Liverpool Cathedral.

Even though the Churchmanship was very high, St. Cuthbert's has never been so full, so lively and so spiritual as it was now. Brother Harry gave his undivided attention to serving in the area. Services were held every day, with additional celebrations of Holy Communion on Saint's Days. The Church was full to overflowing every Sunday.

Change of Advowson
The Patronage of Cheadle had been for hundreds of years in the family of the Delves-Broughtons of Dorrington, Cheshire, which gave them the right to appoint the Rector. In 1911, Sir Delves-Broughton wrote to the Rector informing him that he was intending to sell the advowson, and asking if the Rector knew anyone wishing to purchase it. Certain parishioners were approached but the money could not be raised. In 1913 Sir Delves-Broughton eventually sold the Advowson to a Mr. J. Roper of Sheffield. Within a very short time it was transferred to the Church Association, who still hold it today. Such a transfer was a bending of the rules.

Cheadle considered itself 'moderately high' - St. Cuthbert's being 'very high' - whereas the Church Association represented the 'low' churchmanship. There was considerable unrest in the parish and every effort was made to buy back the advowson, but by now the asking price had dramatically increased.

Although it would have no effect on the parish until the death or resignation of the then Rector, many parishioners felt hurt, as it appeared to them that the whole deal had been carried out in a rather devious way.

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