Emmanuel Church, Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury, Manchester

TO BUILDERS.—Persons desirous of Tendering for a NEW CHURCH proposed to be erected at Barlow Moor-lane, Didsbury, may inspect Drawings and Specification the Offices of the architects, STARKEY and CUFFLEY, 40, Princess-street, on and after the 25th instant, to whom sealed enders must be delivered, addressed to the Committee, or before the 15th of April. The lowest tender will not necessarily be accepted [Manchester Courier 4 April 1857 page 2]

CONSECRATION OF EMMANUEL CHURCH BARLOW MOOR - This church, which is situated on the north side of Didsbury adjacent to the turnpike road, was consecrated yesterday by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese. It is the fifth church which has been built or repaired by a Committee of the Didsbury Congregation. ......  The style of architecture in which the church is built is decorated; and the building is divided into nave and side aisles 70 feet by 45 feet, with open timbered roof supported by circular stone pillars and pointed arches. The chancel is 29 feet by 18 feet and there is also an organ chapel and a vestry. The sittings are 594 in number, of which 230 are free, and the rest appropriated. The chancel is fitted with stalls; and the nave and aisles with open benches. The exterior is built with pierpoint wall stone. Instead of a tower a bell turret has been erected, surmounted by a small spire. The architects for the work were Messrs Starkie and Cuffley and the builders Messrs Bowdon, Edwards and Forster. The cost has been nearly £3,000 and the endowment is £1,000. [Manchester Guardian 8 July 1858 Page 3]

Thin west tower, the upper parts polygonal. No aisles, but a south transept, still in the tradition of 1840. Arcade of round piers. The geometrical tracery of the windows is probably an alteration of 1872. STAINED GLASS. The transept S window is a gorgeous piece of William Morris glass. It dates from 1889. The three figures fill only the upper part of the lights, the lower is entirely large, bold leaf scrolls. Leaf work also in the tracery head. It makes all the other glass in the church look despicable, including Capronnier's South aisle E window of 1874. [Pevsner page 318].

Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 21 March 1857 Page 6 (Contracts)
Reference    Manchester Courier 4 April 1857 page 2 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 11 April 1857 Page 7 (Contracts) Tender return 15 April 1857
Reference    The Builder 1858:508.
Reference    Manchester Guardian Thursday 8 July 1858 Page 3 Col 4 – consecration
Reference    Pevsner Lancashire South page 318.