Charles James Satterthwaite 27th May 1834 - 21st June 1910
Canon Satterthwaite was for over 50 years, associated with the parish of Disley. He was born in Lancaster, the son of James Cornelius Satterthwaite, Land Tax Commissioner and Quay Commissioner in Lancaster.
Educated at Lancaster and Cambridge, he was ordained Deacon in 1858. The following year, he became Priest and was appointed Curate of St.Mary's Church, Disley. He was appointed Honorary Canon of Chester in 1904. He remained incumbent until his death in 1910, aged 76. He is buried in the churchyard of the small St.Helen's Parish Church at Overton near Lancaster. a church dating from the 12th century and resting place of a number of his family members. On his death he left an estate worth more than £52,000
Anglican worshippers in Furness Vale had been given the use of the top floor of the Coach Building at Lodge Farm as a Mission Church. Lodge Fram was owned by Mr Saxby who also owned the nearby Printworks. The Mission Church was 120 seats and also served as a day school until the Board School opened in 1876.
The congregation has long aspired to build their own church. A history of St.John's records that Canon Satterthwaite and the Bishop of Chester tried to persuade Mr.Evans, Rector of Taxal, to agree to a church being built in Furness Vale. He would not agree and correcpondence continued for several years. Canon Satterthwaite counted the houses in Furness Vale and Newtown that lay within Disley Parish. The number was 479 and the population, 2155. This didn't help to persuade Sam Evans and a stalemate continued until 1907 when Col. Cotton Jodrell became patron of the living of Taxal and was able to change the Rector's mind.
Several fund raising activities followed during the next two years until at a public meeting in the school, the Bishop, proposed the erection of a "tin tabernacle". The proposal was turned down in favour of a permanent stone built church. Colonel Cotton Jodrell donated £500 as well as the necessary land. Further donations from the people of Newtown and other sources brought the building fund to £1125. Plans were drawn up by the architect, Mr Preston of Disley and the building contract was given to Mr. J.W.Swindells of New Mills.
Building work was completed in 1912 and on March 17th the last servicec was held at the Lodge Farm Mission.
The opening service was held on Saturday March 23rd. It was due to be conducted by the Bishop but as his train was three hours late, it was taken by the Rural Dean, Mr.J.H.Thorpe.
Reverend Satterthwaite died on 21st June 1910 and was unable to see the completion of the plans that he had supported.
His wife, Victoria, had died four years earlier. A search on the internet will find some of her watercolour paintings, many featuring Italian scenes. One local painting depicts Disley Station in 1888.
