Church of St Barnabas Openshaw

TO MASONS BRICK-SETTERS CARPENTERS, etc. The Committee for the Erection of Churches in the parishes of Manchester and Eccles, propose to erect a church in the township of Openshaw in the parish of Manchester. Persons desirous of tendering for the building of the same may see the Plans and Specification at the office of Mr Atkinson, architect, Store Street, Manchester, between the hours of nine in the morning and five in the afternoon. … The church will be built of wall stone and brick. [Manchester Guardian 11 March 1837 page 1]

THE NEW CHURCH, OPENSHAW - It is already known that among other sites selected in the neighbourhood, by the Manchester and Eccles Church building Society, on which to erect ne churches, one had been fixed upon in the township of Openshaw, within the parish of Manchester, and about two miles and a half distant from this town. It having been determined to lay the first stone of the edifice on Monday last, due preparations were made at Openshaw and the neighbourhood, for celebrating the occasion as a holiday.  ................ The land, not merely for the church, but also for the sites of the parsonage house, school, and house for the school-master, has been given by George Cornwall Legh Esq of High Legh, Cheshire. Mr Atkinson, of this town, is the architect; Mr Bellhouse and Mr Ibbetson are the builders, the former supplying the timber and wood-work, the latter the masonry; and Mr Shuttleworth of Hyde, is to execute the painting and plastering.

The church is to be a stone edifice, and the style of architecture chosen is that which was in use in the reign of Henry III, usually called the "Early English." The end will face the Ashton Road, and will present the appearance of a tower surmounted by a spire, rising to the height of 87 feet. The interior will consist of a nave, side aisles, chancel and vestry, with a gallery on three sides; the internal dimensions are 74 feet 10 inches by 44 feet, exclusive of the altar, staircases and entrance; and the building is calculated to afford accommodation for 832 persons, of which 442 seats are free. The side aisles are 25 feet high, and the nave 43 feet internally. As the funds are limited, the design is exceedingly simple; though very chaste, and reflecting great credit on the architect; and the total cost of the building will be £3,460; a small amount, taking into consideration the extent of accommodation and the style and character of the building. [Manchester Guardian 7 June 1837, page 2]

The church of St. Barnabas at Openshaw, situated in another of the avenues of Manchester, was consecrated the next day, having been previously opened for divine service by license. It is built of stone, the style early English, from designs and plans of Mr Atkinson. It has sittings for 850, has side-aisles, clerestory, and a short steeple; and the expense has been £4,800, the whole of which was supplied by the Manchester Church-Building Society. The proportions of this church are less happy than those of the preceding (St Luke's Cheetham). The clerestory is too high; the body of the church in consequence appears narrow, and the galleries press inconveniently on the pulpit. This church, however, possesses one peculiar feature, and a feature of very great interest. A school, containing 400 children, in two rooms separated by a partition, and capable of holding more, has been built, and, together with a play- ground attached, been presented to the church by Mr. Neden, a gentleman residing in the neighbourhood. Ground for a parsonage-house had been also given; and the three buildings, church, school, and parsonage, will soon be combined in one happy group, and form the centre of parochial influence, which shall radiate through the adjoining district. This church has been endowed by the Manchester Church-Building Society; and the patronage is in the hands of trustees. The collection in the church on this occasion was £56. [Church of England Magazine Volume VIII January-June 1840, page 69-72]

In November 1959, the church was demolished following the discovery of extensive dry rot.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 11 March 1837 page 1 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 5 October 1839 page 1 - consecration notice
Reference    Manchester Guardian 12 October 1839 page 2 - consecration
Reference    Manchester Guardian 7 June 1837 page 2 - foundation stone
Reference    Manchester Guardian 12 October 1839 page 2 - consecration
Reference    Church of England Magazine Volume VIII January-June 1840, page 69-72