St Joseph (RC) Gorton Road Reddish

• Carving: J J Millson
• Glass: R B Edmundson & Son of Manchester

At Reddish, near Manchester, on Sunday week, a new Roman Catholic Church dedicated to St Joseph was consecrated by the Bishop of Salford. The church, which owes its existence to private munificence, is built at the junction of Alfred-street and Gorton Road and in connection with it is a school. The school building, which is at the rear of the church, consists of a schoolroom 50 feet by 30 feet and a classroom 20 feet by 14 feet, with boys’ and girls’ yards offices etc. The church comprises a chancel 16 feet by 15 feet, a Lady Chapel on the north side 18 feet by 9 feet 6 inches, nave 63 feet by 24 feet, a sacristy 18 feet by 12 feet, a small vestry for the clerks, and a south porch in which is placed a handsome marble stoop for hallowed water. The roof is open timbered. There is a gallery at the west end for organ and choir. In the chancel is an altar with tabernacle and throne, and a sculptured panel of the death of St Joseph. In the Lady Chapel is a representation of the mystery of the annunciation. There is also a stone pulpit and font, the latter protected by iron palisading and gates. Both are carved and are mostly of Caen stone, relieved with alabaster and Devonshire marble, the work of Mr J J Milson of Manchester, who has also done the other carving throughout the building. All the other stonework of the interior is of Doulting stone. The windows are glazed with lead lights of various patterns and have been executed by Messrs R B Edmundson & Son of Manchester. Externally the materials used are red stock bricks and Rainhill stone dressings, the roofs being covered with grey slates. The style of architecture is Early Decorated. On the roof a bell cote containing a bell from the foundry of Messrs Warner & Son of London. Both church and school are heated by hot air. The church will accommodate about 250 worshippers and the school about 220 children. The works have been carried out by Messrs W Southern & Sons of Salford from the designs of Me H E Tijou, architect, 25, York-street, Cheetham, Manchester. [British Architect 5 January 1883 Page 8-9.]

The church, with schools adjoining, opened December 24, 1882, are due to the munificence of Joseph Higginson, Esq. The church, which is in the Gothic style, cost about £2,000, and will accommodate some 250 persons. The schools when first built were for 220 children. Mr. Herbert Tijou was the architect. Before the opening of St. Joseph s, Catholics were forced to go as far as Levenshulme or Heaton Norris on Sundays. The Lady Chapel contains a fine representation of the Annunciation. Catholic population 430,

Reference : British Architect 5 January 1883 Page 8-9.