Church of St Mark, Brookshaw Street, Freetown, Bury

ST MARK’S CHURCH, BURY – On Saturday afternoon the memorial stone of the church of St Mark’s, Bury, now in course of erection, was laid by the Rev Canon Hornby, rector. The new church is being erected in the midst of a dense population to take the place of a school-room which is at present used for public worship. The building is a large one, being 124 feet by 59 feet and 62 feet in total height, and it is estimated to seat 600 persons. Externally the building is comparatively plain, but the design includes a lofty tower and spire, which will give it an imposing appearance. Altogether it will be of considerable pretensions, and will be finished with some elaboration. It will consist of nave, north and south aisles, chancel, organ chamber, and choir vestry. A range of lofty richly moulded arches will separate the nave from the aisles and the chancel from the organ chamber and choir vestry. The nave will have a pitch-pine open roof, and the chancel a groined wood ceiling. The scale of the church and the exceptional size of the chancel will make the interior one of striking character. The cost of the building, exclusive of the tower and spire is £4,750, and the contract has been let to Mr Charles Myers of Leeds for that sum. [Manchester Guardian 9 October 1882 page 5]

BURY - The new Church of St. Mark, Bury, Lancashire, which has been in course of erection since October 7th last, when the foundation stone was laid by the Rev. Canon Hornby, rector of Bury, is now nearing completion, and will be ready for consecration early in the autumn. The church will contain upwards of 600 sittings. The entire structure consists of nave, north and south aisles, chancel, organ chamber, and vestry, the latter being sufficiently large to admit of being used for parochial meetings, etc. The architects are Mr J W Connon and Mr. James Demaine. [Builder 23 June 1883 page 865]

The church closed in 1985 and was subsequently demolished. A Salvation Army Citadel now stands on the site

Reference    Manchester Courier 28 June 1882 page 8 – architects named
Reference    Heywood Advertiser 30 June 1882 page 5
Reference    Manchester Guardian 9 October 1882 page 5 – memorial stone
Reference    Builder 23 June 1883 page 865
Reference    Manchester Guardian 2 October 1883 page 6 - consecration