Building Name

Church of St John the Baptist, St John's Road, Heaton Mersey

Date
1844 - 1850
Street
8 St John's Road
District/Town
Heaton Mersey, Stockport
County/Country
GMCA, England
Architect
Work
New build
Listed
Grade II

A Commissioners' style church (cost £3,950, grant £150) - The architect went in for excessively steep lancets for his side windows, still with buttresses between, after the Commissioners' fashion, and also for his porch entrance. Thin west tower with spire. Aisleless nave. The chancel is by Preston & Vaughan (PF) of 1891, and well in keeping with the rest. The stone Lych-gate is of 1927 by Taylor & Young. (Pevsner). The spire was removed in 1995 due to safety issues. In the churchyard is the grave of James Prince Lee, first Bishop of Manchester. Progress on the new church was slow, possibly due to a lack of sufficient funds. Tenders were invited in October 1844 (and the foundation stone supposedly laid) but was re-tendered in September 1846. Another four years were to elapse for the church was consecrated.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, HEATON MERSEY - Parties desirous of CONTRACTING for the whole, or for any portion, of the WORKS connected with the erection of the above church, may see the plans and specifications at the office of Mr. Peter Walker architect. Openshaw, near Manchester, until Saturday the 26th instant. and from that dates until November at the offices of Messrs. Beever and Darwell, solicitors, Greengate, Salford. Sealed tenders to be forwarded. free of expense, to Mr JOHN THORNILEY. Grundy Hill, Norris, on or before Saturday, November 9th. The committee do not bind themselves to accept the lowest tender. [Manchester Guardian 12 October 1844 page 2].

NEW CHURCH, HEATON MERSEY, IN THE PARISH OF MANCHESTER - To Builders and Others - Parties desirous of contracting for the whole or any portion of the Works required for the Erection of a NEW CHURCH in Heaton Mersey, may inspect the plans, and obtain the requisite information on application to Mr. WALKER. architect, No. 37.  Piccadilly, Manchester, from September 1st to September 22nd, both inclusive. Sealed tenders, addressed to the Building Committee, to be delivered at 84 Cannon Street on or before 22nd September. The committee do not pledge themselves to accept the lowest or any tender. Manchester 28 August 1846. [Manchester Guardian 2 September 1846 page 1]

CONSECRATION OF ST. JOHN TRE BAPTIST'S, AT HEATON MERSEY - On Monday last, the Lord Bishop of Manchester consecrated the new church of St. John the Baptist at Heaton Mersey. … (proceedings) …. After the service the lord bishop and a large party of ladies and gentlemen partook of lunch at the residence of John Marsland, Esq (Heaton Mersey), who laid the foundation-stone of the church now about six years ago. The following is a description of the new church, half the sittings of which will be free: —The church of St. John the Baptist, Heaton Mersey consists of nave 67 feet 6 inches by 42 feet 6 inches wide; and chancel 22 feet by 18feet 6 inches; vestibule 12 feet square; south porch 10 feet 6 inches by 8 feet 6 inches; vestry 10 feet by 9 feet, with stove room under for heating the church. It has a tower and spire 132 feet 6 inches high. The height from floor to apex of roof is 52 feet 6 inches. The roof is open, and of simple construction; the timbers are stained in imitation of old oak, and varnished. The whole of the pews are stained and varnished to imitate old oak. Tba church will accommodate 540 persons exclusive of the three aisles. The plan of the churchyard is elliptical, and enclosed with stone plinth, iron railing, and oak gates. The cost, including bell, heating apparatus, boundary wall, etc. will be about £4,000. The site was given by John Goolden Esq - 3,600 yards for the site of the church and 3,600 yards for a parsonage house and garden. The style of the architecture is Early English. The architect was Mr P. Walker, Piccadilly. [Manchester Guardian 28 August 1850 page 4]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 12 October 1844 page 2 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 2 September 1846 Page 1 – contracts
Reference    Manchester Courier 2 September 1846 page 1
Reference    Manchester Courier Saturday 29 August 1849 Page 8 – contracts ?
Reference    Manchester Guardian 28 August 1850 page 4 – consecration
Reference    Hartwell, Pevsner Lancashire: Manchester and the South East page 230
Reference    M H Port Six Hundred New Churches page 335