Standing high above Macclesfield, Forest Chapel commands
a lovely view of the surrounding hills. Although its history is
obscure we know that the first chapel on this site was built more than 300
years ago, in 1673, for the use of local farmers. That first chapel
was entirely rebuilt in 1834, giving way to the structure that we see today.
Every year, on the first Sunday after 12 August, Forest
Chapel holds its rushbearing service. Some of these services date back
many centuries and were originally intended to provide the churches with a
warm and dry floor covering in the days before modern heating systems.
Once a year, the old rushes were cleared out and fresh ones brought in
ceremonially. These days, the service is held to be symbolic of
spiritual renewal. In some churches the rushbearing tradition was
abandoned at the time of the Great Plague (1665-6), before this chapel was
built. Perhaps the custom here was started or revived to mark the 1834
rebuilding; certainly it has been going on as long as anyone now living can
remember. The chapel is decorated with plaited rushes, cut in a local
marshy spot, which are interwoven with flowers; rushes are also strewn on
the floor.
The service begins in the church at 3:00pm and is relayed
outside by loudspeakers. The service includes a special rushbearing
hymn, written by the brother of a vicar here early last century. Part
way through the service, the congregation moves outside to hear the sermon,
delivered by the preacher from the top of a table tomb in the graveyard.
