Church of St James, East Crompton, Shaw, Oldham

ST JAMES'S CHURCH, EAST CROMPTON - On Saturday evening last the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new church about to be erected at the northern extremity of the village of Shaw, to be styled St. James's Church, East Crompton, took place. …. The inscription on the plate inserted in the first stone read: "The first stone of the church of St James, East Crompton, taken from out of the chapelry of Shaw was laid on the feast of St. James in the year of our Lord 1846, by Mrs Milne, of Park House. The Rev Joseph Littler, the first incumbent, and Joseph Clarke Esq, architect."   The new parish has a population of about 3,000, almost exclusively operatives. There is not a church or a church school within about two miles and a half, except those at Shaw. The proposed church will contain 586 sitting— of which 300 will be free. The endowment of the curacy has been provided for by the ecclesiastical commissioners. The foundations have been laid by Mr. Fielding, contractor, of Shaw. The style of architecture will be the early English, with suitable decorations; and the tower is to be surmounted by a spire, if the requisite funds can be raised. The work will be composed of High Moor stone, and the remainder of the stone will be supplied from Brushes Quarry, near Crompton Hall. [Manchester Guardian 29 July 1846 page 7]

The building is stone built, with a nave, chancel, north and south aisles and a three-stage tower with spire at the southwest corner. The roofs are of slate.  Drawing exhibited at Royal Academy 1846.

Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 14 February1846 Page 2 (Contracts)
Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 21 February 1846 Page 12 (Contracts)
Reference    Manchester Guardian 29 July 1846 page 7 - foundation stone