Church of Corpus Christi (RC): Varley Street Miles Platting

A VOTIVE BASILICA – On Saturday the Bishop of Salford (Dr Casartelli) performed the ceremony of blessing and laying the first stone of Corpus Christi Votive Basilica Church of Repatriation at Varley Street, Miles Platting. The work has been undertaken by the Norbertine Canons at Corpus Christi Priory, who have had it in view since the foundation of the Priory in 1889. It is said that this will be the only church of its kind in England. As its name implies, it is to be built in the form of the old Roman halls of justice, many of which were afterwards converted into churches. It will consist of a nave and side aisles, with a circular apex at the east end, and will not be of the customary cruciform structure. It is proposed to build the sanctuary entirely of marble. The church will be built in the Romanesque style of architecture, of red brick with dressings of Stancliffe stone from Darley Dale. When completed the church will be 175 feet long, with a width of 80 feet overall, and a height to the ridge of the roof also of 80 feet. There will be a tower 22 feet square, rising to a height of 150 feet. The designs have been prepared by Messrs Gunson and Son, architects, Manchester, and the builders are Messrs Carlile, also of Manchester. Owing to lack of funds only a portion of the church will be completed now. The sanctuary and a portion of the nave, together with the tower, will have to wait until the cost has been provided. The estimated expenditure on that portion of the work which is to be proceeded with is £8,000, and when completed it is expected that the cost will have reached £20,000. [Manchester Guardian 16 July 1906 page 12]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 16 July 1906 page 12]
Reference    Manchester City News 7 December 1907 Page 6
Reference    The Tablet 7 December 1907 page 890