Catholic Apostolic Church Church Street/ Lorne Street Upper Northgate Chester

CHESTER - The foundation stone of the Catholic Apostolic Church, in Upper Northgate-street, was laid on the 17th inst. The style of the architecture is Early Gothic, and the material red brick and stone, with bands of blue bricks. The roof will be open timbered throughout, that to nave in single spans with curved ribs to the trusses. The architect is Mr Oliver Ayliffe, of King Street, Manchester, and the contractor Mr Thomas Hughes, of the Northgate. The present contract is for the nave and entrances only. [Building News 28 June 1867 page 448]

On Sunday last the opening at Chester of a new Catholic and Apostolic church was celebrated by services at which the angel of the Catholic and Apostolic diocese and a portion of the priests and choir of the Liverpool church officiated. The church, which is a plain building in the Early Gothic style, is built of brick, and calculated to seat about 300. It consists, at present, of a nave and vestries for priests and choristers, but it is intended to add a chancel and spired tower. The architect is Mr O Ayliffe, of Manchester, and the building, as at present, was erected for about ,1,500. [Building News 6 March 1868 page 169]

The Catholic Apostolic Church, Chester, which is situate in Church street, Upper Northgate, was opened for worship on Sunday last. The nave only has been completed at present, and a temporary chancel formed by screens on either side, enclosing vestries for ministers and choristers. The principal entrance is by a western porch or narthex, and the nave consists of five bays lighted on either side by coupled lancet windows, and a four light traceried window in the west gable. The bays are marked externally by bold projecting buttresses, and internally by the large trusses to roof, which is of high pitch and single span, the whole of the timber framing being visible, which, together with the rest of the woodwork throughout, is stained and varnished. The chancel stalls and a portion of the nave benches are temporary. The font is of stone, and placed at the south west angle. The nave is 75 feet long by 33 feet wide and 45feet high internally. The present accommodation is for 360 persons, exclusive of space for lower and upper choir and sanctuary. The complete building comprises future chancel, etc., with tower and spire at the south east angles, which will form a prominent feature in the view from the Northgate. The whole will be built of brick, with bands of stone, in the Early Gothic style. The architect is Mr O Ayliffe, of Manchester, and the general contractor, Mr Thos. Hughes, of the Northgate. The whole of the works have been satisfactorily executed in a thoroughly substantial manner. [Building News 13 March 1868 page 185]

Before the opening of the church, the congregation worshipped in a room over the Post Office. The church was apparently still meeting in 1941 and probably disbanded in 1946. The building was sold in 1952 and demolished to make way for the inner ring road in 1964. [Victoria County History Cheshire Volume 5 Part 2 with photograph]

Reference    Building News 28 June 1867 page 448
Reference    Building News 6 March 1868 page 169
Reference    Building News 13 March 1868 page 185