Church of St Paul, Royton

The new edifice will occupy the site of the old church, which having been found to be inadequate to meet the requirements of a large and growing parish, was pulled down to make way for the large and handsome building that is now in course of erection. The old church was built and dedicated to St Paul about 1754 as a chapel of ease to the mother church of Prestwich, at which time Royton, now a township, with a population of 13,000 was a straggling village containing barely 300 people. The chancel, rebuilt in 1882 has been left intact. A nave and tower are being added to it, and care has been taken to secure harmony in the design as a whole. The enlargement will give an additional 250 seats. …. Several plans for the proposed work were sent in but those of Messrs Wild Collins and Wild of Oldham were considered the most suitable. The tender of the executors of Emanuel Whittaker, Oldham, was accepted for pulling down the old church and rebuilding the new edifice. . [Manchester Courier 8 April 1889 page 6].

Foundation         Corner stone laid Saturday 6 April 1889

Reference           Manchester Courier 8 April 1889 page 6 – foundation stone