Church of St Ann (RC), 64-66 Burlington Street Ashton-under-Lyne

ASHTON, LANCASHIRE —The foundation stone of a Roman Catholic Church was laid on 24th ult last in Burlington Street in this borough by the Right Rev. Dr. Turner Bishop of Salford. Mr Pugin of London is the architect, and Mr John Eaton builder and stonemason, of Katherine Street, obtained the contract. Mr. John Burton of Ashton, is the contractor for woodwork. The estimated cost for fully completing the building will be something like £2,500, which sum is to be raised by subscriptions, and to come, with one or two exceptions, from the voluntary contributions of the poor. [Building News 10 June 1859 page 542]

St Ann’s church was prematurely opened for use on 4 December 1859. Formal dedication took place on 11 November 1860 with the tower at the SW angle incomplete, and the intended surmounting spire never built. The church was severely damaged in the anti-Catholic Murphy riots of 1868 when windows, doors and interior fittings were damaged.

Reference    Building News 10 June 1859 page 542]
Reference    The Tablet 17 December 1859
Reference    The Tablet November 1860