Attercliffe Chapel

"In 1629 certain of the principal inhabitants of Attercliffe met together to consider about building a chapel, which was accordingly begun. The foundation stone was laid on the 15th of July, by a little before Christma the roof was put on, and about Michaelmas, 1630, the chapel was finished. It was opened for Divine Service by license of the Archbishop of York on Sunday, the 10th of October, but as this was only three days before the internment of Mr. John Staniforth, he would not have the satisfaction of witnessing the completion of the work. His son-in-law Michael Hyley, was appointed one of the assistants “to help to provide things necessary for the work.” He also gave the sum of 6s. 8d annually towards the Endowment, which was only £10 per annum." These are the words of Frances Margery Hext in Staniforthiana, the John Staniforth referenced was the son of Lawrence Staniforth (baptised January 28, 1571), We wrote an article on John Staniforth here

The Chapel was consecreted on February 24th, 1630 (St. Matthias' Day). John's son, also named John Staniforth contributed 10s annually towards Endowment to the chapel, there were only two other local land owners gave larger sums and only one other gave the same. John married Mary Gower, the daughter of Stanley Gower, who was curate of Attercliffe. In 1627 he was elected assistant minister of the church of Sheffield, and in 1630 he was nominated to the Curacy of the new Attercliffe Chapel. We also have an article on this John Staniforth here

The chapel is still in use to this day, and it should come as no surprise to hear that there are a number of Staniforht headstones present in the Churchyard, including:

Click here to see images of the headstones


Name Relationship Date of Death Age Resident of
Samuel Staniforth Gentleman 18 November 1748 59 Darnall
Alethea Staniforth Wife 1 Jul 1750 53 Darnall
John Staniforth Son -- Died in Infancy Darnall
Samuel Staniforth Son -- Died in Infancy Darnall
John Staniforth Son -- Died in Infancy Darnall
Samuel Staniforth Son 26 September 1820 81 Darnall

Name Relationship Date of Death Age Resident of
John Staniforth (second son of William - Surgeon) Solicitor 10 January 1848 54 Westbourne, near Sheffield
Elizabeth Staniforth Wife 10 June 1882 80 --
Getrude Staniforth Daughter 4 August 1854 26 ---
Samuel Herbert Staniforth Eldest Son 11August 1875 50 ---

Name Relationship Date of Death Age Resident of
John Staniforth Gentleman 10 March 1765 77 --
Elizabeth Staniforth Wife 17 January 1758 67 --
Sarah Staniforth Daughter 29 May 1722 9 Months Attercliffe
No Name Given Son 7 March 1723 4 ---
Alethea Staniforth Daughter 31 March 1723 7 Months ---
Mary Staniforth Daughter 29 February 1723 17 Days ---
Alethea Staniforth Daughter 9 September 1729 9 Months ---
Elizabeth Staniforth Daughter 8 November 1729 5 Years 7 Months ---

Name Relationship Date of Death Age Resident of
William Staniforth Surgeon 28 June 1835 47 --
Eliza Ann Staniforth 1 December 1820 4 Years 6 Months --
Miles Lowley Staniforth Son 9 February 1857 27 --
William Staniforth 2 May 1823 5 Years 6 Months ---
Isabel Staniforth 11 March 1825 -- ---
Harriet Staniforth 22 May 1842 (In Bavaria) 23 ---