St Augustine’s Church Monsall

A brick church built in 1888 in Sanderson Street, Monsall, Newton Heath. A substantial part of the cost was contributed by John Railton, who also bought a disused nonconformist chapel in the parish to serve as a ragged school. The parish initially had a population of over 7,000 which increased over the subsequent decade. Parish schools and institute built 1896-97. From 1967 it was used as a store. Destroyed by fire in 1970 and subsequently completely demolished, the parish being reunited with the Albert Memorial Church parish, Collyhurst.

Plans have been prepared by Mr A W Smith, architect of Manchester, for the proposed new church of St Augustine’s Monsall. The structure, which will be Early English in style, will contain 500 sittings and will cost about £4000. Towards this amount about £2000 has been promised. [British Architect. 4 April 1884 Page 168]

NEWTON HEATH —The Bishop of Manchester consecrated the new Church of St. Augustine, Newton Heath, Manchester, on the 12th inst. The church, which has only lately been completed, will accommodate 540 persons, and is of red pressed bricks, the mouldings and tracery work being of Ruabon terra cotta. Early English Gothic is the style of architecture adopted, the nave being 44 feet wide and 90 feet long. The north transept is temporarily used for a vestry, the south transept being arcaded only, with a view to future extension. The chancel is 25 feet wide, but is only 10 feet in length at present, the choir stalls, pulpit, and reading-desk being placed on a raised platform in front. Future extension will be met by the erection of a south transept, the completion of the chancel, and the building of a vestry. The whole of the internal fittings, roof timbers, vestibule framing and doors, pews, pulpit, and communion rail are of varnished pitch pine. The floor of the church is laid with wood blocks, and the chancel and aisles are tiled. The church is ventilated by means of Boyle’s ventilators on the roof, connected by galvanised iron tubes with the various ceiling ventilators. Hot water pipes are fitted for heating purposes. The total cost, including boundary fences, laying out of the ground, fittings, and furniture is £4,000. Mr. A. W. Smith, of Manchester, was the architect, and Mr. George Macfarlane, also of Manchester, was the contractor. [Builder 22 September 1888 page 218]

CHURCH CONSECRATION AT NEWTON HEATH - Yesterday afternoon the Bishop of Manchester consecrated the Church of St Augustine, Newton Heath. …. The church is built in the Early English style of architecture and arrangements have been made with a view to future extension. Accommodation is provided for 540 persons, and the whole of the seats are free and unappropriated. The internal fittings, roof timbers, etc., are of pitch pine and the windows are glazed with lead lights of subdued tints. Adequate provision has been made for heating and lighting. Externally the building is faced with red pressed bricks, the moulding and tracery being of Ruabon terra cotta. The total cost, including boundary fences, fittings, and furniture, is about £4,000, of which amount the main portion is already subscribed. Mr. A. W. Smith. of St Ann Street Manchester, prepared the plans, and the works have been out by Mr G. Macfarlane, also of that city. [Manchester Guardian 13 September 1888 page 6]

From 1967 the church was used as a store. Destroyed by fire in 1970 and subsequently completely demolished, the parish being reunited with the Albert Memorial Church parish, Collyhurst.

Reference    British Architect Volume 21. 4 April 1884 Page 168
Reference    Manchester Guardian Wednesday 2 April 1884 Page 8 Column 4 - wording as BA
Reference    Builder 22 September 1888 page 218
Reference    Manchester Guardian 13 September 1888 page 6
Reference    Dobb, Like a Mighty Tortoise.