Christ Church, Lloyd Street, Moss Side, Manchester

Built in three phases, Christ Church replaced an earlier church built as a proprietary chapel in 1845. By the 1890s this original church building was considered inadequate, both constructionally and aesthetically and, with the appointment of a new incumbent in 1893, efforts began to raise enough money for a "more suitable" building. The first phase of redevelopment began in 1895 with the building of a new chancel, chapel, organ loft and vestry at a cost of £4,500. This was followed in 1898 with the partial demolition and rebuilding of the nave at a further cost of £5,000, while the third phase, to demolish the remainder of the nave and forming a new west end with porch and narthex was completed by 1904. The total cost of the church was £16,000, a considerable amount of which was donated by G.W. Lloyd, one of the owners of the estate on which the church was situated. There was seating for 725 people in the new church, of which 348 places were appropriated while the morning chapel sat 72 persons. The chancel was 28 feet wide by 40 feet long and the nave 68 feet wide by 72 feet long with two feet thick external walls. The altar was raised a total of nine steps above the nave, the cill of the seven light east window being a further 18 feet above the altar pace. A continuous ridge, 60 feet high, ran over both the chancel and nave.

Christ Church was Hardisty's most important ecclesiastical work and the designs were exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1897. In many ways, the church was typical of its period. The exact reproduction of acceptable precedent has disappeared although traces of the medieval age remained in the traceried windows and the complex belfry and fleche on the roof (shown on the original drawings but not built). However, the square headed mullioned windows with their small leaded lights were a product of the Queen Anne revival. At the time of its opening, the church was still described as of the "late decorated" style, constructed of Bolton red brick internally and externally with Rainhill stone used for window tracery, columns and other architectural features. The open timber roof was of pitch pine. Also deemed worthy of note was the use of concrete for the ground floor slab and foundations, the use of which was considered much superior and far more durable than previous practice.

CHRIST CHURCH, MOSS SIDE - The foundation-stone of the new church which is being built, by the congregation of Christ Church, Lloyd Street, Greenheys, was laid last night, by the Bishop of Manchester (Dr. Moorhouse), in the presence of a large gathering of the members and adherents of the congregation and the clergy from various parts of the city and surrounding district. In the course of the service the bishop was presented by the architect, with a silver trowel, and with this he laid the stone. The new church is being erected on the site of the old one. Part of the old building is still standing, and in this, services are being held, but by-and-by the whole of it will be demolished, to make way for the new structure. The new building will consist of nave, north and south aisles, and a spacious chancel 40 feet in length, on the south side of which is to be placed a morning chapel to accommodate 56 worshippers, and on the north. side are arranged the organ chamber, and priests' and choir vestries. The portion of the building, now being proceeded with includes the chancel, chapel, and vestries. The former, like the nave, will be 28 feet in width and 60 feet high to the ridge. The church is designed in the " late decorated" style, the materials to be used being Bolton bricks, for both external and internal wall facings, and Rainhill stone for the window tracery, and other architectural features. The internal effect promises to be dignified and imposing. The altar is raised on nine steps above the nave floor, and, with a height of some 25 feet between the altar-pace and the sill of the seven-light east window, ample space is provided for a handsome reredos which it is proposed to erect when funds permit. The chancel will be divided from the nave by a low stone screen and wrought-iron gates, and the arches enclosing the morning chapel will be filled in with oak screens with elaborate traceried heads. The total cost is estimated at £11,000 or £12,000. When completed the church will accommodate 770 worshippers, inclusive of 350 "free" sittings. It is being built, from plans prepared by. Mr. W. Cecil Hardisty, architect, of this city, the general contractors for the work being Messrs Statham and Whitby, of Pendleton. [Manchester Guardian 3 July 1896 page 10]

Another stage in the rebuilding of this church has just been reached by the completion of the chancel and the provision of a temporary corrugated iron nave which will be used for the seating of the congregation, pending the erection over it of a permanent nave. Brick with stone dressings. [Builder 11 September 1897 Page 208]

The first portion of the new church of Christ Church, Moss Side, was consecrated last week by the Bishop of Manchester. The old building, which was erected in 1848, having become dilapidated and dangerous, it was decided four years ago to demolish it and to replace it by a more worthy building. Mr W. Cecil Hardisty, architect, of Manchester, designed a large and dignified edifice, and three-fourths of the whole scheme has now been completed at a cost, including a new organ by Messrs Wordsworth, of over £9,000. The work thus far accomplished consists of chancel, chapel, vestries, bellows house and engine for the organ, and organ chamber. Half the nave and aisles are also finished and seated, the west end being temporarily filled by a plain brick wall [Building News 3 November 1899 Page 584]

The Bishop of Manchester dedicated on Monday Christ Church, Moss Side, the rebuilding of which is now completed. The original structure, built in 1843, was entirely devoid of architectural beauty. In 1895 it was decided to demolish the church and rebuild. Bishop Moorhouse laid the foundation stone of the new church in July, 1896. The chancel, chapel, and vestries were completed in the following year, and in 1899 half the nave was added. The new church, which has been designed by Mr H. Cecil Hardisty, of Manchester, has accommodation for 728 worshippers. The total cost of the work will be £16,000. [Building News 4 November 1904 page 648]

Reference        Manchester Guardian 3 July 1896 page 10 – foundation stone
Reference        Builder 11 September 1897 Page 208
Reference        The Builder 1898: II: 342.
Reference        Building News 4 November 1904 page 648
Reference        Manchester Faces & Places 1904
Reference        Pevsner, Nikolaus: Buildings of England: South Lancashire. Page 307
Reference        Stewart, Cecil :    The Stones of Manchester. 1956. Page 121-2
Reference        Dobb, Rev Arthur J. Like a Mighty Tortoise. A history of the Diocese of Manchester. 1978
Reference        Tracey & Pike    Manchester & Salford at the Close of the Nineteenth Century

The original church was built by a Mr Heath, the owner of many properties in the area at a cost of £5-6,000. This church was not consecrated until 24 May 1850 due to a long-running dispute with the Bishop of Chester. Between 1845 and 1847 it had been used as a chapel by various other denominations. It was then put up for auction, without success, before eventually being sold to Robert Gardner for £2,700.