Church of St George Fox Platt Mossley
NEW CHURCH MOSSLEY – The new parish church at Mossley, dedicated to St George, was consecrated yesterday by the Bishop of Manchester. This building has been erected on land given by the Earl of Stamford and Warrington, adjoining the old church, which is still standing. It provides accommodation for 1,013 adults. Of these 775 are seated on the ground floor in the nave. 36 in the chancel, and 202 in the west gallery, which if occupied, will seat 250. The style adopted is Decorated Gothic, and the aim has been to produce a spacious and thoroughly substantial structure at a moderate cost. The plan consists mainly of a nave and aisles 71 feet by 64 feet, and a chancel 27 feet by 26 feet. On the north side of the chancel is the tower, 18 feet square outside. When completed, this will be 90 feet high, but at present is roofed at a height of 38 feet. The chief contracts have been carried out by Messrs Edward Marland, J Robinson and Sons, and J Pickford of Mossley, and by Messrs Butters and Carson of Manchester. Three memorial windows, by Edmundson and Company, of Manchester, a font and an eagle lectern have been given by some of the leading subscribers to the church. … The whole of the work has been designed and superintended by Mr A H Davies Colley, and during the latter part of the time in conjunction with Mr John Brooke, under the firm of Colley and Brooke ARIBA, 18 Exchange Street, Manchester. [Manchester Guardian 24 November 1882 page 5]
Reference Building News 6 June 1879 page 646
Reference Manchester City News 16 April 1881 Page 1 - Tenders
Reference British Architect 22 September 1882 Page 453
Reference British Architect 1 December 1882 Page 577
Reference Manchester Guardian 24 November 1882 page 5 – consecration
Reference Pevsner South Lancashire Page 352
ST. GEORGE'S PARISH CHURCH, MOSSLEY. The structure of this church has this year been completed, by the addition of the upper portion the tower, which is now about 91 feet in height. It is expected that a peal of six bells will ere long be hung. The contract has been executed by Messrs. W. Storrs, Sons, and Co. Limited, of Stalybridge. Important improvements have also been carried out this year in the interior. Mr. j. Holden. of Rochdale, and his sister have presented a costly reredos, consisting a group in white alabaster, nine feet wide, representing tbe Lord's Supper, with single figures of the Mother of our Lord and the Angel Gabriel in the flanking niches. The lower portion of the credos and the elaborate canopies and niches are carved in Caen stone, and the whole has been executed by Messrs. Earp, Son. and Hobbs, of London and Manchester.' The internal decoration of the church has been carried out by Mr. R. Bennett, of Manchester. The walls and ceiling the chancel are diapered with specially designed patterns and symbols in rich and harmonious colours, while the body the church has plainer decoration. The whole of the above work has been completed under the direction of Mr. A. H. Davies Colley, A.R.1.8.A., of Manchester, the original architect of the church. [Manchester Courier 21 July 1887 page 6]
ST GEORGE'S MOSSLEY - A handsome and massive reredos, representing the "Last Supper,” is in course of preparation for the new church of St. George, Mossley. near Stalybridge. The centre piece —nine feet in length—containing figures of Christ with his disciples, and the two side figures, emblematic of 'The Annunciation," are of alabaster, whilst the points and pinnacles are of Caen stone. The reredos, which presents a very striking effective appearance, is expected to be ready and placed in the church by St. George's Day. April 23rd. Its total dimensions are 14 feet long by 9 feet high, the work reflecting considerable credit upon Mr. A. H. Davies- Colley, the architect (who also the architect of the church), and Messrs. Earp, Son, and Hobbs, of London, and Lower Mosley-street, Manchester. [Manchester Courier 25 March 1887 page 7]