Church of St John, Oldham Road, Failsworth

NEW CHURCH AT FAILSWORTH. The large township of Failsworth, in the parish of Manchester, which at the taking of the last census comprised a population of 3,879, has hitherto been destitute of any episcopal place of worship, but a few months ago the attention of the Ecclesiastical commissioners was directed to the locality by some of the clergy of Manchester and the adjacent places. The Church, which is dedicated to St. John, has been tastefully designed in the early English style of architecture by Mr E H Shellard, architect, of this town, and is intended to consist of nave with a clerestory, north and south aisles, enriched north porch, spacious chancel, and (if funds can be procured) a lofty tower and spire at the western end. The whole is to be built of Yorkshire stone. The interior will be divided by two rows of shafted columns, supporting moulded arches, and will be lighted by couplet windows in the aisles, trefoil lights in the clerestory, and a triplet and lancets in the chancel. The church is intended to contain 800 sittings, of which 600 are to be free and unappropriated. The seats are to be made in the ancient manner, with stall ends, —provision for children being made a small gallery at the western end. The roofs are to be constructed with open principals, similar to those erected in the thirteenth century, and stained in imitation of old oak. [The roof will be covered with terra metallic tiles, ornamented with some description of tile, enriched with fleur de lis, in style of the church of the Holy Trinity, Hulme.] At the present time it intended through lack of funds to build the Church without the tower and spire, and merely erect a bell turret in their stead; but it is hoped that those who possess property in the immediate neighbourhood, will not long allow the church to remain without either. The contract for the masonry has been taken by Messrs, Harker and Co., of Newton Heath, and for the other branches by Messrs Coulthurst and Foggett, of Cheetham Hill. The entire cost of the edifice will be about £2,400, and it is expected that it will be ready for consecration in May. [Manchester Courier 9 August 1845 page 8]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 7 June 1845 page 7
Reference    Manchester Guardian 18 June 1845 page 2
Reference    Manchester Guardian 21 June 1845 page 3
Reference    Manchester Guardian 13 August 1845 page 4 – foundation stone

ICBS 03555     New Church: Grant: Approved (CBC grant)
Minutes:     Volume 12 pages 197,332
Drawings    Ground plan (after work); Gallery (after work)