PROBATE VALUATIONS IN HOLMES CHAPEL

The History of Holmes Chapel

Holmes Chapel was originally known as Church Hulme and, in its early years, was used primarily as a rest stop on the important route that was established between London and Lancashire. At this time, Holmes Church was just a small village located on the cross roads, with an inn for travellers to stop at.

A church in Holmes Chapel is known to have existed in the town in the 13^th century. It became the centre of the town, with the main town being constructed around both the church and the cross roads. This formed The Square, used then as the main gathering point for residents; hosting the local cattle market and village fairs.

Currently, the oldest church in Holmes Chapel dates to the 15^th century. The church, along with two cottages, and The Old Red Lion, are the only buildings constructed in the village at the time to have survived a fire that broke old in the July of 1753. At that time, there were nineteen buildings in the village, with The Old Red Lion believed to have been built at some point during the early 17^th century or before.

After the devastation of the fire, the village slowly began to rebuild. Much of the initial development is attributed to the Hall family, who were the main land owners in Holmes Church at the time. Throughout the 19^th century, with a population of around 400, the village saw the construction of many new buildings, including a forge in 1840.

From the 19^th century through to the 20^th century, many notable buildings and businesses emerged in the town, including: Morrey’s general hardware store in 1850, William’s grocers in 1875, and the Mandeville bakery in about 1900.

Thanks, in part, to the excellent transports links, Holmes Church has seen considerable growth in the last 50 years: with new architecture, businesses, and housing estates, being constructed. Today, the town has a population of around 6000.