Church of St Anne (I) Brindle Heath Road Brindle Heath Pendleton

Built as a daughter church of St Thomas Pendleton on the site of Pendleton Chapel (1776-1831) which had been demolished in 1848. The new church at Brindle Heath was designed to accommodate a congregation of 300 persons in seats which were “all free and arranged so as to encourage kneeling during prayer,”. East window - glass by Heaton Butler and Bayne depicting Christ to Good Shepherd. Scudmore organ built by Egglestone and Bowes. The bell from Pendleton Chapel was re-hung in a spiret at the western end of the church. Demolished when St Anne (2) was opened in 1914. In the western gable a rose window with glass by Edmundson depicting St Anne teaching her daughter, the Virgin Mary, to read. – was transferred to the new church.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF ST ANN’S CHURCH BRINDLE HEATH - The foundation stone of this church was laid by the Rev Ambrose Lane on Saturday afternoon. The church, the foundations of which have already been put in, is to be built of brick of two colours, with stone tracery and dressings. The roofs are to be covered with Staffordshire tiles. The plan consists of nave and south aisle, south western porch, chancel and south chancel aisle, which last is screened off for organ chamber and sacristy. The chancel is fitted with seats, placed stallwise, for the choir. All the nave seats face east and are open benches. At the west end of the nave is the font, and at the north eastern corner of the nave is the pulpit. There are also two prayer desks and a lectern, the former just within and the latter just without the chancel arch. The nave is divided from tha aisle by an arcade of three pointed arches, sustained by stone pillars with moulded caps and bases. The style of architecture in which the church has been designed is early geometric Gothic. The contract has been taken by Messrs Thackrah and Pierce of Stockport. The architect is Mr J M Taylor of St Ann’s Churchyard. [Manchester Guardian 13 April 1863 page 2]

NEW CHURCH AT BRINDLE HEATH —  St Ann's Church, Brindle Heath, is to opened to-day (Saturday). The foundation stone was laid by the Rev  A. Lane, in April last, and the church is now completed. The site is the burial ground of the old St. Thomas's Church. Till this year there stood on the ground an unsightly brick chapel, not fit for the seemly performance of the burial service. This has been removed, and the present church, which contains about 300 sittings, all free, has taken its place. The church in plan consists of a nave of three and half bays, south aisle of three bays divided from the nave by un-clerestoried arcade, the columns of which are circular, and the arches of two un-chamfered orders. The main entrance is by a south- I western porch, gabled transversely to the aisle. The chancel is entered from the nave by broad and pointed arch, with moulded stone imposts, and rises two step;-, above the nave floor. The sanctuary rises one step more, and the Lord's table stands on a foot-pace. The south chancel aisle is screened off for organ chamber and sacristies. The chancel has two rows of seats, placed stall-wise each side for the clergy and choir. At the west end of the men's seats on both sides stalls are formed for the officiating ministers within the chancel. On the south side of the sanctuary are two seated sedilia, recessed in the wall, and arched and shafted. The altar rail is low and as little obstructive to the sight possible. At the north-east corner of the nave stands the pulpit, its floor four steps above that of the nr.ve. is of well figured Dantzic oak, moulded and carved with foliage and symbols. The nave is seated with open benches, all facing east, and arranged so as to encourage kneeling during prayer. At the west end, and in the centre of the nave, is the font. It is of Bath stone, circular plan; the bowl is relieved with four carved quatre-foils. The cover, which is of wood, pyramidal in its outline, and the form of a cross in plan, is traceried and crocketted, and is raised and lowered by means of crane of wrought iron, fixed against the west wall. Above the font, over two tall uncusped lancets, is a circular or rose window, composed of eight quatre-foiled circles, with a sex-foiled circle in the centre. This has been filled with stained glass Edmondson. The subject is the legendary one of St. Ann teaching her daughter, the blessed Virgin Mary, to read. There are, besides, symbols and grisaille work. The east window of the chancel, which is of three lights and traceried, contains "Christ, the good Shepherd," and grisaille work, with emblems, by Heaton, Butler, and Bayne. The other windows are filled with plain tinted glass in lead quarries. A Scudamore organ has been built by Ecclcston and Bowes, and is placed behind the south choir seats. The heating apparatus is by Haden, of Trowbridge. The church is built of red brick, relieved with dark blue, bands and patterns, and the roofs are covered with tiles ornamentally disposed. The south windows are broad, coupled lancets; and the north the same, with trefoil a quatre-foil above, enclosed under one pointed arch. The porch door deeply recessed, and the arch is formed of moulded and coloured bricks. Near the west end of the ridge of the nave roof is a wooden framed belfry, covered with shingle, and containing the bell of the old chapel, which has been repaired and re-hung. The churchyard has been put in order, and the walls nearly all rebuilt. In the west wall occurs some open iron railing, and gates of simple quaint form. The contract has been carried out by Messrs. Thackrah and Pierce, of Stockport, under the direction of the architect, Mr. J. Medland Taylor, of St. Ann's Churchyard, Manchester. [Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser Saturday 28 November 1863 page 6-7]. 

Corner stone    Saturday 11 April 1863
Consecration    Saturday 28 November 1863   

Reference    Building News 17 April 1863 page 302
Reference    Manchester Guardian 13 April 1863 page 2
Reference    Manchester Courier 11 April 1863 page 6
Reference    Builder 18 April 1863 page 282
Reference    Manchester Courier Saturday 28 November 1863 page 6-7
Reference    Builder 19 December 1863
Reference    Ike Chapman. Brindleheath: a Salford Village. Page 20-21
Reference    Dobbs: Like a Mighty Tortoise. page 76