Roman Catholic Church, Manchester (Architectural Competition)

Report of Manchester Architectural Society Conversazione - "Among the numerous contributions to this interesting conversazione, were particularly noticed, several designs for the catholic church about to be erected in this town; the successful one by Mr Richard Lane was much and justly admired; the others, by Mr T W Atkinson, Mr Richard Tattersall and Mr J G Irwin also elicited much commendation, and show that the architectural talent of this town is by no means deficient when properly called forth. "

The designs appear to relate to the proposed rebuilding of Roman Catholic Church of St Mary, Mulberry Street. The first church on the site was erected in 1794 but in 1833 Father Henry Gillow decided to re‑roof and redecorate the church, assisted by members of the congregation. However, the work was not properly supervised and on 8th August 1835 most of the roof collapsed, causing significant interior damage.  Father Gillow's death from typhus in 1837, made the search for a new site for St. Mary's more difficult and eventually a decision was made to rebuild the church on the same site.

Reference           Manchester Guardian 18 July 1838 page 2