Church of St. Catherine Todmorden Road Burnley

When work started in 1895 the new church was planned to be called St Alban's, but when it opened in 1897 its name had been changed to St Catherine's. 1895 references are to the proposed St Albans.

CHURCH, BURNLEY, LANCASHIRE.‑On the 4th inst., the new Church of St Catherine, which has been built in Todmorden‑road, Burnley, was consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester. The total cost is £8,150. The building consists of a nave, which, with the transepts and western gallery, is of seven bays of a total length of 97 feet and a clear span of 51 feet, widened at its eastern end to 66 ft. where the transepts occur. There are no aisles. A lofty arch opens out at the east end to the polygonal sanctuary, the windows of which are high up above the roofs of the adjoining vestries. The chancel, raised three steps above the nave, is arranged in line with the transepts, and is marked off by a low wall and wooden screen surmounted by wrought‑ironwork. The morning chapel is in the south transept; there is an outside door and porch in close proximity for the use of those attending the week‑day services. The main entrance is at the west end. The nave is seated with open benches, and altogether there is accommodation for 673 adults. The altar is of oak, with carved panels. It stands under a lofty baldachino of hammered iron. The pulpit and Bible lectern are made quite open, and form part of the screen which mark off the chancel Panels are left in the walls under the nave windows) 'which it is hoped will be filled with painting, bas‑reliefs) or mosaics. There is similar preparation for future adornment round the walls of the sanctuary. The work has been designed by Mr Medland Taylor. [Builder 15 May 1897 page 445].

The Bishop of Manchester will this morning consecrate the new church of St Catherine, which has been erected at Burnley from designs by Mr Medland Taylor. The church is 120 feet long, and the nave has a clear span of 51 feet. Accommodation is provided for 673 adults, and the number might on special occasion be increased to 800 without discomfort. [Manchester Guardian 4 May 1897 Page 5]

BURNLEY—The new church of St. Catherine, which has been built in Todmorden-road, Burnley, was on Tuesday consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester. This is one of three additional churches which are being provided, largely through the liberality of the rector of Burnley (the Rev. A Towneley Parker), who has provided an endowment for each, and subscribed handsomely to the building fund. The total cost of St. Catherine’s church is £8,150, and already £7,000 have been raised. Canon Parker, besides endowing the living, has subscribed £2,500. The church has been built from the designs of Mr. Medland Taylor of Manchester, and is of rather unusual design, owing to the shape of the site being a truncated triangle, and the owners of adjoining land having rights of light, over it. Altogether the church will seat about 700 people. [Church Times 7 May 1897 page 534]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 2 May 1895 page 3 – contracts
Reference    Builder 11 May 1895 page 364 – contracts
Reference    Builder 9 November 1895 Page 355 (contract for superstructure)
Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 2 November 1895 Page 1 (Contracts)
Reference    Builder 15 May 1897 page 445
Reference    Manchester Guardian 4 May 1897 Page 5
Reference    Church Times 7 May 1897 page 534