The Marland Family

Marland places: Ashton-under-Lyne

St Michaels Church

If there is one place that could be described as the jewel in the crown to the Marland Family its St Michaels Church. Ashton-under-Lyne.

This magnificent grade 1 listed structure dominates the skyline of Ashton, and has been a place of worship to our family for hundreds of years.

The interior takes one’s breath away with many outstanding features including the wonderful St. Helens stained glass window at the North end, and a full set of box pews, No.63 on the west side dedicated to the Marlands just at the side of triple deck pulpit, another fine feature.

This site is a must for all Marlands, and can be viewed for quick look at about 4.45 pm as the friendly verger calls to do the chores of the day, a longer visit can be arranged with him, and if you are nice to him he will let you view the Parish records from 1592, of course you can always attend Sunday morning service if you wish to do so, don’t forget to sign the visitors book, as it helps to keep the Church open.

Geoff Marland

Detail of the Ashton windows (late fifteenth century)

The Old Hall is now only a memory, demolished in the nineteenth century by the railway company. The manorial family, the Asshetons, would have been landlords of a number of Marland yeomen and husbandmen in Ashton.

For a town plan of Ashton in 1824, click here