Church of St John the Evangelist Ayres Road Old Trafford

The new Church of St John’s Ayres Road, Old Trafford, is to be consecrated today by the Bishop of Manchester. The church has cost nearly £7,000. The foundation stones were laid on 4 May 1907 by Mr Henry Worrall and Miss Emily Price. The church, which will accommodate 550 people, has been built to the design of Mr R B Preston, diocesan surveyor, who has supplied the following description: The building consists of a nave, with north and south aisles, chancel, chapel, clergy and choir vestries, and organ chamber. Under the two latter is provided a spacious parish room. On the north side, adjoining Ayres Road, stands the tower, a massive structure, the lower part of which forms the western half of the chapel. The chapel is entered through the porches on the Ayres Road side. The font is placed in a segmental apse at the west end of the nave. The materials are Ruabon bricks and terra-cotta for the wals and dressings, except the columns to the nave and chancel arcades. These are of Alderley edge red sandstone, and the upper portions of the inside walls are faced with buff bricks from Aston Hall near Chester. The roofs are constructed with wrought timbers, boarded and felted on the tip, and covered with Tilbertwaite green slates. The fittings of the chancel are of oak and those in the nave and aisles of Canary pine, stained and polished. The contractors are Messrs Macfarlane and Son. [Manchester Guardian 1 July 1908 page 9]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 7 May 1907 page 10  – foundation stone
Reference    ICBS 10705 New Church, Grant: Approved
Reference    Minutes: Volume 31 pages 86,186. File includes printed circular/subscription list with engraving of proposed church from NE
Reference    Manchester Guardian 1 July 1908 page 9 - consecration
Reference    British Architect 3 July 1908 p17
Reference    Pevsner: Lancashire: South