St Chad’s Church is latest heritage building targeted by vandals

Rochdale’s Parish Church, St Chad’s, is the latest heritage building to have fallen victim to vandalism with significant damage caused to the roof.

Thieves have removed slates and torn up the guttering on the flat roof.

It is estimated that up to £10,000 worth of damage has been caused.

 

 

Reverend Mark Coleman, Vicar of Rochdale, said: “It is so pointless, they have caused a lot of damage probably looking for lead. You can see where slates have been removed and metal has been torn back.

“We didn’t even know this had happened until it rained, and water started to come into the building.

“We contacted the police who found a machete and a pair of pliers on the roof. They have been very helpful and offered to start doing extra patrols in the area to keep an eye on the building.

“I encourage locals to please be attentive and contact the police if you see anybody on the church roof, especially children who I have been told keep climbing up there.

“This vandalism has happened so many times and it costs so much to repair.

“It’s a real tragedy as heritage buildings are so valuable to Rochdale. Heritage buildings are our history and we must protect them.”

 

 

St Chad's was consecrated in 1170 and can be found at the top of the 122 'Church Steps' in Rochdale town centre, behind Rochdale Town Hall. It is classified as a Grade II* listed building of special architectural and historic interest.

Falinge Hall, a historic building in Falinge Park, was also vandalised in July:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/129402/vandals-damage-historic-building-in-falinge-park