St Paul’s Church Stretford New Road

The consecration of St. Paul’s church, Stretford New-road, took place on Saturday before last. The church was built by Messrs Mellor, Son, and Terras, and has cost £2,200. The edifice is constructed to accommodate 1,100 persons, 367 free. The church is 95 feet long, by 48 feet wide, outside measure, and being enclosed by buildings, the light is chiefly obtained through a clerestory supported by wooden arches resting upon iron pillars. The front, which is of stone, has a deeply recessed porch, flanked by large six-light windows, and surmounted by a third, above which rises a tower and spire, ornamented by crockets. The spire, including the nave, is nearly 100 feet high. The style is Decorated, of the time of Edward III. The architect was Mr Robert Moffatt Smith. In the interior, horizontal beams, each supported by a perpendicular one, support the sides of the gallery. There are centre and side aisles, a vestry by the side of the chancel, and over the vestry there is a small apartment where the organ is concealed. [Builder 24 January 1857 page 52]

Foundation     stone laid 2 September 1854
Consecration    Saturday 10 January 1857

Reference    Manchester Guardian 1 July 1854 page 10 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 10 July 1854 page 10 – contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 12 January 1857
Reference    Builder 24 January 1857 Page 52