North-East Tower and Spire: Church of St Oswald, Rochdale Road, Collyhurst

St Oswald's, Collyhurst, was built to designs by E H Shellard and consecrated in 1855 A district, taken entirely from St Michael's, was assigned to it in 1856 (see London Gazette, 1 July 1856). A north east tower and spire to designs of John Lowe were added in 1868. Day schools were not added until 1875, when buildings adjoining the church were opened to provide accommodation for 775 children.

The additions to St. Oswald's Church, Manchester, comprise a tower and spire, which have just been completed. The tower is divided into four stages, with buttresses at each angle with canopied heads. The tower is faced with Yorkshire parpoints with ashlar dressings. The spire is of dressed ashlar, with gargoyles at springing of broaches, with ornate lucernes, and relieved with bands of stone of different colours, and is terminated with gilt vanes rising to the height of 150 feet. The outlay is £1,300. Messrs Ellis and Hinchcliffe, of Manchester, were the contractors, and Mr J Lowe, Manchester, the architect.  [Building News 2 October 1868 page 674]

Reference    Building News 2 October 1868 page 674
Reference    Pevsner Lancashire: South
Reference    Manchester City News, 31 January 1891.