Rebuilding: St Chrysostom Oxford Place Victoria Park Manchester
Restoration and rebuilding of the church designed by Redmayne in 1874-7, following a fire in 1904. John Ely's chief aim was to carry out the rebuilding as much as possible in accordance with the original design of his old friend, Mr. George Redmayne, who had retired from practice some years earlier and who added his request to that of the rector and parishioners that Mr. Ely should undertake the work.
The church of St. Chrysostom, Victoria Park, Manchester, took fire on Saturday night, and, with the exception of the tower, spire, and stone walls, it was almost completely destroyed. The registers and church plate were secured while the flames were consuming the roof. It is conjectured, though not ascertained, that the fire originated in some way connected with the installation of electric light and a new heating apparatus. The damage done is covered by insurance. The church was built between 1875 and 1877, from designs by Mr. Redmayne at a cost about ,13,000, and seated 566 worshippers. It was a stone structure. Early English in style, consisting of nave, apsidal chancel, and narrow aisles with tower attached on north east, and small chapel to south east. The dedication festival commemorating its consecration by Bishop Fraser, four‑and‑twenty years ago, was to have been held on Sunday, and among the losses is a stained glass east window, which formed a memorial to Dr. Fraser
A public meeting was held at Rusholme on Friday for the purpose of considering the means of rebuilding the Church of St. Chrysostom, Victoria Pirk, which was recently destroyed by fire. The Rector stated that the closest inquiry as to the cause of the fire had failed to yield anything but negative results. After consultation with the Bishop it had been decided to erect a temporary iron church which would accommodate 300 people. The original coat of the former church had been £10,706, and of the organ £665, and there had been later additions. Since the erection of the church, however, the cost of materials and labour had advanced, and they could not reproduce it at the same cost. They would receive in insurance ,8,950, and they would have to raise at least ,5,000 more. The executive committee reported that contributions already received amounted to £1,189 0s. 6d. Further donations were promised in the meeting, raising the total to £1,382 168. [Building News 14 October 1904 page 539]
Reference : Building News 7 October 1904 page 524
Reference : Building News 14 October 1904 page 539