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Morley Green Chapel has closed its doors after 141 years in the heart of the community – but the legacy of the men who played a part in its long history will live on.

The chapel came to life after Robert Crewdson, of Alderley Edge, suggested the village needed some Christian presence in 1862, work then begun by James White, of Manchester City Mission, in the homes of the poor agricultural families.

The Rev Kirsty Thorpe said: "Mr Crewdson and Mr White understood that you need a full stomach, shoes on your feet, warm clothes and a decent education if you’re to make something of your life, wherever you live."

After seven years, they decided they needed a chapel, and on land bought from a ‘Mr Henshall’ for £120 and with a total build cost of £700 the chapel opened on February 21, 1869. It became a school in 1874 and was extended in 1883 to make room for all the children.

Joseph Wood, who was a deacon of Wilmslow Congreg-ational Church, was the first Sunday School superintendent and died in 1900.

He did so much pastoral work in the community he was known as the ‘Bishop of Morley’.

Mr Wood was a deacon at Wilmslow for nearly 30 years and served at Knolls Green chapel and school, which still bears a plaque on the front reading: ‘The Joseph Wood Memorial School’.

He was treasurer of the Cheshire Congregational Union twice and chairman in 1892.

One history of the Union says of him: "His strength lay in his abounding kindliness.

"Those who missed him most were the sick and sorrowful; for he had learnt so well how to weep with them that weep."

Kirsty added: "The plaque will go to his home church, Wilmslow United Reformed Church, as a reminder of a distinguished layman from that congregation and of the lasting links between that church and this chapel."

In 1917 the day school closed but the work of the Sunday School continued, under the leadership of John Beaumont, Joseph Wood’s son-in-law.

He served as Sunday School teacher and then superintendent for 57 years, until his death in 1925, after which the stained glass windows were bought in his memory.

Mr Barstow from Wilmslow took over as Superintendent and in 1947 the chapel finally lost its link with Manchester City Mission when Mr Camsey resigned as Missioner to focus his work on the British Workman Mission in Grove Street, Wilmslow.

The minister during the 1940s, Walter Lazenby, served both the Morley congregation and the one at Wilmslow Congregational Church and began the annual Rose Queen event, from 1948 to 1962.

Kirsty said: "I wonder what Joseph Wood, Robert Crewdson or James White would make of it if they could see Morley now.

"I think they’d be shocked by the lack of children, but delighted by the work done at Gorsey Bank School.

"I hope they’d feel that their mission to serve people in the farming community in this area has been accomplished."