Church of St Margaret, Burnage Lane, Burnage

Yesterday Mr Hugh Birley MP laid the foundation stone of a new church to be dedicated to St Margaret, at Burnage. ... The new edifice is being erected on a site given by Lord Egerton of Tatton and will front Burnage Lane. When completed it will consist of chancel, nave with five bays, north and south aisles, tower and spire at the west end, and organ transept, but at present , it is intended to build only the chancel, three bays of the nave and south aisle so as to provide accommodation for 250 persons. The style is Gothic; the exterior walls will be built of Runcorn and Lymm stone, and the high pitched roof will be tiles. The total length of the church is 83 feet, and the width 23 feet, the height to the apex of the roof being 45 feet. The estimated cost of the work now in progress is ,3,850. .... Messrs Paley and Austin, of Lancaster, are the architects of the church, and Mr W Winnard, of Wigan, the builder. [Manchester Guardian 11 April 1874 page 9]

BURNAGE - The foundation-stone of a new church, to be dedicated to S. Margaret, was laid last week at Burnage, Herefordshire.(sic) It will consist of chancel, nave with five bays, north and south aisles, tower and spire at the west end, and organ transept, but at present it is intended to build only the chancel and three bays of the nave and south aisles so as to provide accommodation for 250 persons. The style is Gothic; the exterior walls will be built of Runcorn and Lymm stone, and the high-pitched roof will be tiled. The total length of the church is 83 feet, and the width 28ft, the height to the apex of the roof being 45 feet The estimated cost of the work now in progress is £3,850. Messrs. Paley and Austin, of Lancaster, are the architects, and Mr Winnard, of Wigan, the builder [Building News 17 April 1874 page 433]

BURNAGE, NEAR MANCHESTER - The corner stone of a new church at Burnage, near Manchester which is to be called St. Margaret's, has been laid. Burnage is a township and village in the parish of Withington, and the necessity for a church there has long been felt. Lord Egerton of Tatton gave a site for the proposed church. A house and garden for a parsonage have also been secured, and the church, schools, and parsonage will be in close proximity to each other, encircled by a ring fence. The church, the plans for which have been prepared by Messrs. Paley and Austin, of Lancaster, when complete will consist of chancel, nave with five bays, north and south aisles, tower and spire at the west end, organ transept, etc. It is only intended at present, however, to build the chancel and three bays of the nave and south aisle, providing accommodation for about 250. The contract of the work has been let to Mr. Winnard, of Wigan. The church will be built in the Gothic style, with Runcorn and Lynn stone, and is to be roofed with slate. The estimated cost is £3,855. [Builder 18 April 1874 page 338-339]

The village of Burnage was in the parish of Withington but was almost two miles from the parish church. For many years previously divine service had been held in the school-room.  According to a report in the British Architect, the new church, in the Decorated style of  about 1300, was consecrated by Bishop of Manchester "last week" - about 19 March 1875.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 2 August 1873 page 1- contracts
Reference    Manchester City News 11 April 1874 Page 3 Column 6
Reference    Manchester Guardian 11 April 1874 page 9
Reference    Building News 17 April 1874 page 433
Reference    Builder 18 April 1874 page 338-339
Reference    British Architect 26 March 1875 Page 180 - consecration