The Parish Church of All Saints Odd Rode is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Congleton, the archdeaconry of Macclesfield, and the diocese of Chester.
All Saints' is an attractive rural church that was built in 1864. It is a Grade II* listed building that contains some fine architectural and decorative elements, which make it of considerable historical interest.
The description of the Grade II* listed church by Historic England can be seen at the following link: (
visit link)
The terracotta bust of Randle Wilbraham III is located in the Wilbraham chantry chapel at All Saints Church.
The Wilbraham chantry chapel is divided from the south aisle by a richly wrought iron screen which has three arched openings and quartered circles to the lower body. The bust is situated to the left of the eastern window in a trefoil-headed niche with a gablet above and colonettes to either side. The bust was carved by A. Carrier-Belleuse in 1854.
The sculpture is of the head and shoulders of Randle Wilbraham III set on a stone block inscribed as follows;
Front
'RANDLE WILBRAHAM
1773 - 1861'
Right hand side
Anno MDCCCLIV
A.Carrier.
.fecit.
The bust is mounted on a low hexagonal plinth. The head shows Randle as an old man with some wrinkles, bald head, wavy hair and long sideburns. One eye is open and the other simple shows his eyeball. His neck is partially visible and surrounded by a creased etched cloth garment.
"Albert-Ernest Carrier-Belleuse (born Albert-Ernest Carrier de Belleuse; 12 June 1824 – 4 June 1887) was a French sculptor. He was one of the founding members of the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, and was made an officer of the Legion of Honour."
Source: (
visit link)
Randle Wilbraham III was born in St George Bloomsbury on 10th January 1773 to Richard Wilbraham - Bootle, M.P. for Chester and Mary Bootle. He married Sybilla Egerton and they had 10 children.
Rode Hall in Scholar Green was inherited by Randle Wilbraham III after the death of his father. After his return from a five-year Grand Tour, Randle Wilbraham III set about transforming Rode Hall into a smart Regency home with the assistance of Liverpool architect John Hope.
He passed away on 12th January 1861 in Congleton, Cheshire, England.
(
visit link) (
visit link)
All Saints Church was commissioned by Randle Wilbraham III of Rode Hall and designed by George Gilbert Scott. The foundation stone was laid in June 1863 and the builder was John Gallimore from Newcastle-under-Lyme. Stone was used from the quarries of Mow Cop and Kerridge at Macclesfield. Gallimore, who was also a joiner, made the timber roof, which Gilbert Scott likened to the ribs of a ship. He also made the pews to the architect’s design.
The family had worshipped at St Mary's Church, Astbury, but Randle III wanted to have a church in Odd Rode. He had previously bought an old chapel in the parish for the purpose, but this was too small, and in 1861 he commissioned Scott to design a new church. Building began in 1863, but Randle III died during the first year of construction, and the church was completed and paid for by his son, Randle Wilbraham IV. It cost nearly £5,914, and was dedicated in 1864. Source: (
visit link)
(
visit link)
(
visit link)