Church of St Paul Portwood near Stockport

TO BUILDERS. Persons desirous of CONTRACTING for the whole, or any of the several works required in the Erection and Completion of a CHURCH, at Portwood, near Stockport, may see the drawings and specification at the offices of Messrs Bowman and Crowther, architects, on and after Thursday the19th of May next until the 22nd of the same month inclusive Sealed tenders to be delivered to the Rev J Gillies Portwood, on or before 22nd of May. 68, George-street, Manchester, April 28th, 1849.[Manchester Courier 5 May 1849 page 2] Manchester Courier 28 April 1849 page 7

NEW CHURCH PORTWOOD — This long desired church in the populous neighbourhood of Portwood, has at length been commenced. An eligible, but we fear not very extensive, site of land, little beyond the "King William the Fourth," has been purchased from Cephas Howard, Esq for £500, and the ground was broken a few days ago. The committee were very anxious to have procured the more elevated site on the other side of the turnpike road, but owing to the very high price demanded for the land, that part of the scheme was necessarily abandoned. The design of the church, by Messrs. Bowman and Crowther, architects, of Manchester, is of the early English style, and will have a noble spire-tower. The ground plan of the edifice is 130 feet from east to west, by 56 feet from north to south. The contract has been let to Messrs. Bottom and Neild of Manchester, and Henry Peel, of that town, has been appointed clerk of the works. The foundation stone is expected to be laid on the 22nd instant. [Manchester Courier 4 August 1849 page 8]

CONSECRATION OF SAINT PAUL'S CHURCH, PORTWOOD - On Wednesday, this newly-erected and handsome stone edifice, dedicated to St. Paul, situated in Portwood, was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Chester.  The site on which the church and burial ground are is on the right of the turnpike road leading from Portwood to Denton, Hyde, Ashton, and other populous places, and forms a portion of the estates of Cephas Howard, Esq., from whom the committee purchased the land for less than one-third its value. We believe the entire cost of the erection will be about £4,000. …  The church is calculated to hold 608 worshippers, in uniform open seats, 402 of the kneelings, or two-thirds of the whole, being free and unappropriated for ever; but this accommodation could only be secured by the erection of a gallery at the west end. The designs and working plans were prepared by Messrs Bowman and Crowther, architects, Manchester; and the entire stonework and masonry have been executed by Mr. Bertram, of Romiley. The whole enclosed within a stone boundary wall. The church is provided with an organ of considerable and capacity, and also a large bell, cast at Belfast. Gas has been introduced into the sacred edifice, the fittings having been arranged under the superintendence of Messrs. Richmond, of Salford; in addition to which, it is also replete with a hot-air apparatus for warming and ventilation. [Manchester Courier 25 October 1851 page 8]

PORTWOOD (STOCKPORT) — According to the Stockport Advertiser, the new church of St. Paul, Portwood, was consecrated on Wednesday week. It is a stone edifice, in the Perpendicular style, and consists of nave, north and south aisles, south porch, chancel, and lofty tower and spire at the west end. The nave and aisles are 64 feet 4 inches long, and 50 feet 6 inches wide; the chancel 34 feet long, and 18 feet 8 inches wide inside; and the tower 17 feet 7 inches square over the walls, and, with the spire, 165 feet high to the top of the cross. The porch is placed in the second bay from the west end, - the sacristy at the north-east corner of the chancel. The nave is divided from the aisles by octagonal piers and pointed arches, and is five bays in length, in each of which (except those occupied by the north and south doors) is a lofty window of three lights, with rich tracery in the head. The chancel is three bays in length, and is lighted by a window of five lights at the east end, filled with tracery, and on the tides by three light windows. The spire is perforated at different heights by three tiers of spire lights, crocketed, and enriched with tracery, and the whole structure is surmounted by an ornamental metal cross and vane. The roofs are of open timber framing, with hammer beams and arched braces. The pews are stained and varnished to imitate old oak. The cost of the erection will be about 4,000/. The Church is calculated to hold 608 worshippers, in uniform open seats, 402 of the kneelings, or two-thirds of the whole, being free. The designs and working plans were prepared by Messrs. Bowman and Crowther, architects, Manchester; and the entire stonework and masonry have been executed by Mr. Bertram, of Romiley. The whole is enclosed within a stone boundary wall. The foundation stone was laid on 22nd August, 1849. The Church is provided with an organ; and also a large bell, cast at a foundry at Belfast. Gas has been introduced, the fittings having been arranged under the superintendence of Mr. Richmond, of Salford: there is also a hot-air apparatus for warming and ventilation. [Builder 1 November 1851 page 688].

Reference    Manchester Guardian 28 April 1849 contracts
Reference    Manchester Courier 5 May 1849 page 2 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Courier 28 April 1849 page 7 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Courier 4 August 1849 page 8
Reference    Manchester Courier 25 October 1851 page 8 – consecration
Reference    Builder 1 November 1851 page 688