Church of St John the Evangelist, Wingates Westhoughton

 Built for a breakaway congregation, following a quarrel over the introduction of ritual by the incumbent of St Bartholomew in opposition to the Vicar of Deane and the Bishop. Nave, chancel and south porch only, but the porch has the conceit of a suggested upper room. There are some mighty funny traceries including a five‑pointed star, w, and affronted Ss, E. There was originally a tall fleche two bays in from the W. The replacement bellcote on the w gable is too squat. Simple interior dominated by the trademark Shaw roof with four equal straight struts suggesting a wagon shape. A pair of extra descending struts terminating as pendants indicate the position of the fleche. The w gallery has been extended by a bay to create a parish centre within the nave. Shaw's furnishings must have been of the simplest to judge by the remaining font.  STAINED GLASS .Two supplied by Shaw from his Saddieworth workshop, SE and SW; Puginian, but let down by poor firing so that the faces have faded. E by Lovers, Barraud and Westlake. [Pevsner/Hartwell South East Lancashire Page 676]

CONSECRATION OF THE NEW CHURCH AT WINGATES, WEST HOUGHTON - This new church in the parish of Deane, which was commenced about a year ago, was on Thursday consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Manchester. .... The church has been built to the perfect satisfaction of all parties under the plans and superintendence of George Shaw Esq, architect, of Uppermill, Saddleworth. [Manchester Guardian 2 July 1859 page 4]

Reference    Builder 12 June 1858 Page 413 (laying foundation stone)
Reference    Manchester Guardian 2 July 1859 page 4- consecration