Church of St John the Baptist Mossley

OPENING OF A NEW CHURCH AT MOSSLEY - A new church which is to be called St John the Baptist was opened at Broughtown, Mossley, yesterday, by the Bishop of Manchester. Mainly through the munificence the Messrs. Whitehead Brothers, of the Royal George Mills, Greenfield, the new church, of which the foundation stone was laid the 28th June 1876, has been erected. The building is in the early decorated style of architecture, and consists of nave, chancel, organ chamber, and vestry, and one side aisle, the north aisle being left for future extension. A handsome tower and spire has been erected at the south-west corner of the church, and has been carried a height of 40 yards. The aisle is divided from the nave by an arcade of six bays with round stone pillars, having moulded caps and bases, and graceful pointed arches. The east and west windows are large mullioned windows with geometrical in the heads. The aisle and nave windows, have also tracery in the heads. The length of the chancel and nave is 111 feet 6 inches by 23 feet 6 inches wide, and the aisle 70 feet by 13 feet, providing accommodation for 441 worshippers.  The walls are of local stone and the dressings and spire are of Yorkshire stone. The seats are all open benches of pitch pine, varnished. The contractors for the work have been—Mr. James Knott, of Hurst, Ashton-under-Lyne, masons work; Messrs John Henkins and Brothers, of Greenfield; carpenters and joiners work; Mr. James Green, of Ashton-under-Lyne, slating and plastering; and Mr. Edward Worrall, of Uppermill, plumber and glazier. Mr. John Wild, of Oldham, has been the architect, and the total coat has been about £6,000. [Manchester Courier 25 April 1878 page 5].

Reference           Manchester Courier 25 April 1878 page 5