Church of St. John the Baptist, High Street, Godley-cum-Newton Green, Hyde

CONSECRATION OF ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, GODLEY-CUM-NEWTON-GREEN - On Thursday last, this Church was consecrated by the Right Rev the Lord Bishop of Chester. …  The church, which is a stone building, was commenced in March last year, and is in the early English decorated style. It calculated to accommodate upwards of eight hundred. The seats are on the ground floor, open benches. There also a western gallery. The church consists of nave, north and south aisles, spacious chancel, with vestry on the north side. The nave separated from the aisles by polished stone pillars and moulded arches. The naves, aisles and chancel are under separate roofs and are of steep pitch. The timbers are exposed to view and stained in imitation of oak. It intended to erect tower, so soon as funds can be raised for that purpose. At the western end of the nave is the pulpit and reading desk, decorated with tracery panelling. There a beautiful font, large enough for immersion, erected near the middle of the church, which is the gift of Mr. John Turner. … It is estimated that the whole cost of the church will be about £2,700. The noble structure does great credit to Mr Shellard, the architect, Manchester, and to Mr. Samuel Drinkwater, clerk of the works who has superintended the erection of five churches under Mr Shellard's instructions. The schools connected with the church are built of brick, and were designed in London; their cost is £940. They will accommodate 450 day scholars and 600 Sunday scholars. [Manchester Courier 13 April 1850 page 8]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 23 September 1848 page 11- contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 23 September 1848 page 11- contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 28 March 1849 page 7
Reference    Manchester Courier 13 April 1850 page 8 - consecration
Reference    Incorporated Church Building Society Archive
ICBS 03243     New Church - Grant: Approved (CBC grant)
Minutes:     Volume 11 page 290, Volume 13 pages 159,317
Drawings    Ground plan (after work); Gallery (after work)