Mottram, England

     The name "Mottram" is thought to be derived from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning "a meeting place", possibly in this case "a crossroads". A church has stood on War Hill since approximately 1250 A.D., though the precise date of its foundation is unknown. The site was chosen after a fierce struggle between Norman and Saxon forces in which casualties were heavy.. The fallen were buried on the hill, and a place of worship was erected to mark their memory. Probably the first church was a wooden structure, replaced later by stone.
     Recent research indicates that Mottram was the center of a large Anglo Saxon estate. In 1066 it came into the ownership of the king, William the Conqueror , and by 1086 it had become part of the lands attached to the new Earldom of Chester. Mottram is mentioned in the Domesday Book but there is no reference to a church.
     Evidence of a church at Mottram comes in the first quarter of the 13th century when clergy attached to Mottram church were witnesses to local documents. Later, in 1252, Robert, parson of Mottram, is recorded as being fined for helping poachers and 1291 the church was mentioned in the papal taxation of that year.
     Mottram's clergy were in those early days rectors, appointed by the lord of the manor through his "right of advowson". Many of the early rectors were absentee pluralists who held many benefices and left the work to local curates. On the creation of the new Diocese of Chester by Henry VIII in 1547 the bishop became rector, and still to the present day appoints vicars to run the parish on his behalf.
     The early churches were estate churches, each built by the lord of the manor for himself and his tenants. They would have been small simple structures. There is little left here of any earlier building, only the Norman barrel font, the initials of a Hollingsworth over the north door, the Decorated capital and the effigy of a knight and his lady in the Staveley chapel, and possibly the chancel arch.

Mottram Parish Church (Click on the thumbnail to view the full size image):

Hollingworth Chapel is a part of the northeast corner (right corner closest to you) of the main building as you are looking at the photo of this church. It was originally a small structure as noted in the information above, probably built in the early 1200's possibly by John Hollingworth for his family and his tenants at Hollingworth Hall.

Mottram Parish Church (Click on the thumbnail to view the full size image):

This photo is taken looking at the South Porch entrance of the church. The Church Tower is to the left of this entrance and is located on the west end of the church.

From the Mottram Parish Church - Hollingworth Chapel:

     "This was originally a chapel attached to the Manor of Hollingworth, hence the stained glass coat-of-arms of the various branches of the Hollingworth family placed in the north window by Captain de Holyngworthe who died in 1865".
     "Over the North door (looking from outside the church) can be seen, carved in stone, a coat of arms bearing three holly leaves, thought to be that of John Hollingworth. Judging from the style of the letters and the fact that the size of the stone does not match the surrounding stone coursework, this may be a remnant of a much earlier building, possibly dating back to the early 13th century".

Mottram Parish Church Stained Glass window in Hollingworth Chapel
(Click on the thumbnail to view the full size image):

Hollingworth Chapel is a part of the northeast corner of the main building. It was originally a small structure and is now included as part of the church. The stained glass window is located in the chapel as noted above. Note that the center portion of the Hollingworth motto ("ferenda") is missing from the window. It was originally included but apparently was replaced at a later date.

Mottram Parish Church - Coat of Arms (Click on the thumbnail to view the full size image):

This is the Hollingworth Coat of Arms carved in stone located above the North door of the church. It is believed to date back to the 13th century. Note the initials included on each side of the stone. The initials appear to be "I.H." but I understand that they are actually "J.H." and is believed to be for John Hollingworth.

References:

(1)"A Brief Guide To The Parish Church Of Saint Michael and All Angels Mottram-In-Longdendale", Reverend J.R. Price, Vicar and Rural Dean of Mottram.

(2) "Mottram Parish Church a Guide", published by Mottram Parish Church.

Thanks to Ian Hollingworth and his daughter, Hayley, of Mossley, England, for these images and information. Mossley is very near (about 10 miles from) the town of Hollingworth in Cheshire...... believed to be the "birthplace" of the Holling(s)worth surname. Ian very possibly descended from one of the "original" Holling(s)worth families from the area.