Rainow, Cheshire Genealogy

History
Rainow was created as an Ecclesiastical parish in 1785 a chapel in the Ancient parish of Prestbury and includes the hamlet of Harrop.

Holy Trinity Church was built in 1846, on land given by Joseph Harding, and consecrated in the same year. The church was constructed at a cost of £1,800 by John Mellor of Kerridge End and the architect was Samuel Howard of Disley. Rainow was originally a township and chapelry in Prestbury Parish of the Macclesfield Hundred but became a civil parish in 1866. In 1952 a further parcel of land was given by Mrs. Harriet Etchels in memory of her husband and son. The incumbent lived first in the Old Vicarage on Pedley Hill, then in a house on Hawkins Lane. In 1958 the present vicarage was built adjoining the Church.

Jenkin Chapel was built by voluntary contributions in 1733. It was constructed of the local gritstone with a saddleback roof and and an outside flight of steps leading to a gallery (a small tower was added in 1754-55). Jenkin was the name of a local farming family that gave the district its name. The church was originally dedicated to St. John the Baptist, but was only consecrated in 1894 when it was re-dedicated to St. John the Evangelist.

Episcopal Chapel formerly at the top end of what became Chapel Lane. The chapel was not consecrated so people still had to walk over to Prestbury to be married. It was demolished in 1844 and part of the site made into a graveyard. The chapel bell, dated 1724, was sent to Jenkin to be melted down with Jenkin's cracked bell to make one good bell for Jenkin.

The first Wesleyan chapel was built on Billinge Brow in 1781 as a venue for travelling preachers. The buildings included a cottage to accommodate the preacher and a stable for his horse. This was closed and turned into cottages when a successor was built in the village at what became Chapel Brow. This second chapel was demolished, leaving the Chapel House and its small graveyard, when the current Wesleyan Chapel was erected in 1878. The building is now business premises.

Walker Barn chapel was built in 1863 and was also used as a Sunday and day school. The chapel is still in use.

Church Records
Prestbury, St. Peter (C of E). The ancient parish church for Rainow. Rainow, Holy Trinity (C of E). Founded 1765 as a chapel to Prestbury, serving part of Rainow township. Registers of Baptisms 1765–1992, Marriages 1846–1941 and Burials 1815–1959 have been deposited at the Cheshire Record Office

Registers of Baptisms 1770–1821, Marriages 1865–1921 and Burials 1770–1821 have been deposited at the Cheshire Record Office Cheshire Record Office call numbers: P188/3116/1/1-2, P188/3116/2/1-3, P188/3176, P188/3116/3, P188/3116/8, P188/6127/1-3.

Baptisms, 1765-1788. FHL BRITISH Film 2105692 Item 15

Baptisms, 1788-1812. Marriages, 1846-1941. Baptisms and burials, 1770-1821. Burials, 1815-1895. Marriages, 1865-1921 (Saltersford-with-Kettleshulme). FHL BRITISH Film 2105693 Items 1 - 8

Baptisms, 1841-1992. Banns of marriages, 1847-1957. Burials, 1895-1959. FHL BRITISH Film 2262784 Items 4 - 6

Saltersford, St. John the Baptist. A chapel to Prestbury, created a separate parish in 1864 to serve Kettleshulme and part of Rainow township. The chapelry at Saltersford is called Saltersford-cum-Kettleshulme, and contains Kettleshulme and Rainow. It is in the parish of Prestbury. Cheshire Record Office call no.: P/188/3116/8. Marriages, 1865-1921. Baptisms and burials, 1770-1821. FHL BRITISH Film 1656554 Items 6 - 7 Burials, 1813-1984, 1996. FHL BRITISH Film 2262784 Item 7

The Family History Library catalog contains other material for the parish.