Church of St. Mark Worsley: Additions

Some extensive alterations are about to be made in the interior of Worsley Church. The choir, which hitherto have sat in the nave, will be removed into the chancel, and some new oak stalls will be provided, and an oak screen for the chancel. In all probability an organ chapel and choir will be built on the north side of the chancel. The entire cost of the alterations is estimated at £1,750. The architect is Mr R K Freeman of Bolton. [British Architect 14 July 1882. Page 334]

CHANCEL AISLE ORGAN CHAMBER ETC. ST MARKS CHURCH WORSLEY FOR THE REV THE EARL OF MUSGRAVE - These works, now approaching completion, have been undertaken with a view to obtaining better accommodation, both for the choir and congregation. The new aisle corresponds in detail and general treatment with the Ellesmere Chapel on the south side of the chancel. It will be used as a organ chamber and choir vestry and will also give a number of additional sittings. The removal of the organ from its present position at the end of the south aisle and taking the choir into the chancel will also add considerably to the accommodation. The whole of the woodwork is of oak, the screen, sedilla and choir stalls being elaborately carved, (the latter were exhibited at the Building Trades Exhibition held in Manchester last year). The floor of the chancel is of ceramic mosaic of appropriate character, the sacrarium having the pelican, lion and other ecclesiastical emblems introduced.  The contractors for the whole of the works are Messrs Statham & Sons of Pendleton, the carving has been executed by Messrs Earp & Hobbs of London and Manchester; the mosaic floors by Mr Ludwig Oppenheimer of Manchester; and the stonework by Mr Darbyshire of Worsley. All the works are from the designs of Mr R Knill Freeman of Bolton-le-Moors. The cost of the extension is about ,2000. [British Architect Volume 21 23 May 1884 Page 253 and illustration]

ST. MARK'S, WORSLEY - Several important alterations are being carried out the handsome church of St. Mark, Worsley, near Manchester, of which the Earl of Mulgrave is the vicar. The improvements embrace the laying down of a new floor in the chancel and sacrarium, the removal of the organ, the provision of new carved oak choir stalls, the erection of new organ chapel, etc., which will entail an expenditure of about £2,100.  ….  Mr. R. Freeman, of Bolton, is the architect employed. [Manchester Courier 29 May 1884 page 8]

CHOIR STALLS - The choir stalls, designed by R. Knill Freeman, are of oak, and the stall fronts have figures of St David and St Cecilia and panels of intricately carved foliage and shields, showing the symbols of Christ’s passion: on the north, the cross, nails, reed and sponge, spear, thirty pieces of silver, seamless robe, dice, lantern sword and stave; on the south, ladders, pincer and hammer, sacred heart, crown of thorns, whipping post and scourges. All this for £465! The clergy stalls are probably by Scott and carry statues of the four Doctors of the Church ‑ Jerome, Gregory, Augustine and Ambrose. [British Architect 27 July 1883 Page 44]

Carving           Earp and Company, Manchester

Reference        British Architect 14 July 1882. Page 334
Reference        Manchester Courier 29 May 1884 page 8
Reference        British Architect Volume 21 23 May 1884 Page 253 and illustration
Reference        British Architect 27 July 1883 Page 44 – choir stalls