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.