Albert Memorial Church, Queens Road, Collyhurst

• Foundation        6 June 1863
• Consecration     Monday 25 April 1864

ALBERT MEMORIAL CHURCH, COLLYHURST, MANCHESTER -  The building forms a conspicuous and elegant addition to the neighbourhood. Very little modification has been made in the original designs of Mr John Lowe, the architect under whose superintendence the works have been carried out. The church consists of a nave 90 feet 9 inches by 46 feet 4inches, a chancel 20ft 3in by 21 feet 6 inches with organ chamber on the south side and vestry on the north side. The style of architecture is early decorated. At the west end are three entrances, one under a large doorway under the centre window, one through the tower and a corresponding one on the other side; but these latter will be used chiefly as entrances to the gallery which is proposed to be erected at some future period. There is also an entrance under the transept gable on the north side. The building is of seconds bricks, relieved with bands of blue Staffordshire bricks and white headers. The dressings are of Hollington stone. The slating is in alternate bands of different tints. The roof is in one great span, open to the ridge 48 feet from the ground. The absence of columns gives an imposing appearance, and also an uninterrupted view to persons in all parts of the edifice. The seats are open benches with inclined backs, and are divided by a centre and two side aisles, paved with Minton's encaustic tiles. The tiling to the chancel is very elaborate. The seats for the choir in the chancel are of pitch pine, as well as the reading desk and the pulpit. The latter is of elaborate design, and is much admired. The vestibules are arranged so as to prevent as much as possible, all draughts. The lighting is by means of three sunlights in the nave and two standards in the chancel. These are by Mr Heyworth of Faulkner-street, and the heating has been entrusted to Messrs Hadens of Trowbridge. The tower at the north-west angle of the building is in three stages, terminated with a spire surmounted with a vane, the top of which is 130ft from the ground. The original estimate, taken by Messrs Clark and Jones of Rusholme-road, for the church (£3,912) has not been exceeded; but the committee have expended some £300 additional in tiling and stained glass windows to the memory of His late Royal Highness the Price Consort. The church has accommodation for 665 persons, of which 233 are free. [Manchester Guardian Tuesday 26 April 1864 Page 5].

Reference    Builder 13 June 1863 page 431 – foundation stone
Reference    Manchester Guardian Tuesday 26 April 1864 Page 5 Column 3
Reference    Church Times, London, 7 May 1864 page 149
Reference    Pevsner South Lancashire
Reference    Dobb, Like a Mighty Tortoise (1991), 341 45