Proposed Church at Bowdon

THE NEW CHURCH AT BOWDON – We have on previous occasion referred to the intention of the Earl of Stamford to erect a new church at Bowdon, but since our last notice of the subject some considerable changes have been made, both as regards the site and the structure. The site now chosen is a most eligible one, being a field near the entrance to the “New Park,” on the right side of the road, from Altrincham and overlooking the fine valley; the land being bounded on one side by the Chester Road, and another by the lane nearly opposite to Bowdon Lane, leading from near the park to Oldfield. The church will be cruciform, with a massive tower rising from the intersection of the cross. The nave will be of five bays, 74 feet in length by 22 feet 6 inches in width; the north and south aisles, each 70 feet by 13 feet; the total clear width of the nave and aisles 53 feet 7 inches. The transepts, measuring north to south, extend 68 feet, and 20 feet 6 inches in width. The chancel is to be 34 feet by 19 feet. The sacristy, over which will be an organ chamber, is to occupy the north-east angle of, and open into, the chancel and north transept. As the Chester Road runs parallel to the south and west fronts, the main entrances are to be from the south transept and the west; there also being a side door in the north transept, and a priest’s entrance through the sacristy. The structure will be erected of white stone; the roof and other woodwork of oak, from his lordship’s park, winter-fallen, and converted a year ago. The style chosen is what is generally understood as of the “Decorated” period. The following particulars will explain the amount of ornamental finish intended:  The interior pillars supporting the clerestory and central tower will be clustered with sculptured capitals and richly-moulded arches, all of polished Caen stone. The windows wholly traceried, of varied design; those in the north and south transepts and the clerestory of the nave to be circular, varying from 12 feet to 5 feet in diameter; the windows in the other parts are to be two, three and five bays each, finished internally of stone. The roofs will be open, and richly panelled and decorated, presenting a ceiling wholly of rich quarter oak. The pews are to be confined to the nave and aisles, and to have richly-carved solid oak elbows. The transepts are to be entirely fitted with free benches; the pulpit, desk, reredos and screens separating the sacristy from the chancel and north transept, will be of rich oak tracery and canopy-work.  There will be accommodation for about 800 persons, without galleries, the full provision being for 1,000, including transept galleries if required. The situation chosen for the new church, as will be gathered from our previous description, is an excellent one, on the high ground near the entrance to the New Park, Dunham. The views from the church platform are most extensive and delightful; the building itself will be a prominent object from all the country round, and from the principal building sites recently laid out by Lord Stamford’s directions. The architect employed in the erection of the church and the laying out of the building sites is Mr Pountney Smith of Shrewsbury. [Manchester Courier 5 January 1850 page 8]

More than four years ago, the Earl of Stamford and Warrington was desirous of having a church erected at Dunham; and accordingly the foundations were commenced on a site near the Dunham Road, about half a mile from the Bowdon station, and the same distance from the old parish church. It was then intended that the church should be built of white brick, with ashlar dressings; but before half the length of the foundations had been put in, the design was abandoned. [[Manchester Guardian 20 June 1855 page 7]

Reference  :  Manchester Courier 5 January 1850 page 8
Reference  :  Manchester Guardian 20 June 1855 page 7