Church Hall and Sunday School. Parrs Wood Road North/ Fog Lane, Didsbury

This building opened on 24 October 1931 with the intention of functioning as a temporary church until a new building could be erected alongside. It was then to serve as a church hall and Sunday School. The planned church never materialised, so this building has continued to serve as the church and is now known as Christchurch URC. It is situated on Parrs Wood Road just to the north of Fog Lane. It is not known if Swarbrick was commissioned to build the original planned church also, but if so, no plans or sketches have been found.  Given Swarbrick’s interest in the provision and disposition of light, he employed some interesting effects in this building. The ceilings are in the form of vaults springing from red sand-faced brick walls, and these are penetrated by tall clerestory windows. Much of the artificial lighting was concealed, with hidden floodlights illuminating the choir. – Richard Fletcher.

Reference    Builder 26 September 1930 Page 545
Reference    Builder 16 January 1931 Page 175 - tenders
Reference    Manchester City News 24 October 1931 Page 6
Archive        Manchester Building Control Plan No 20338