St Michael and All Angels' Church, Ashton-under-Lyne

St Michael's church may have been one of the two churches in the barony of Manchester which were mentioned in the Domesday Book, 1086. It was certainly in existence by 1262 when the advowson was held by the lord of the manor of Manchester. There is some uncertainty about the dedication: it is sometimes referred to as St Helen's but it is unclear whether the series of stained glass windows devoted to St Helen is the source of confusion. Rebuilding was undertaken in the 15th century (according to tradition in 1413) by Sir John Assheton who then held the advowson. His great-grandson Sir Thomas (died 1516) gave much of the surviving glass and left money to rebuild the tower. In 1792 after storm…

The tower built in 1886-88 is modelled on the tower of Manchester Cathedral. The south porch is a fairly close restoration of the earlier porch shown in a view of 1765. There was formerly a family chapel of the earls of Stamford at the east end of the south aisle; this was formerly an Assheton chantry chapel. The two storey Stamford family pew (1841) now occupies its position. The north porch is a memorial of the 1st World War designed by R. B. Preston & R. Martin, 1921. The north vestry is a former chantry chapel of the Lees / Leech family. The box pews are arranged to face the three-decker pulpit so that some of them have their backs to the chancel. The three galleries may be 18th-century…