Manchester Cathedral: Restoration of Choir (1891)

MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL – The work of re-roofing the chancel of Manchester Cathedral under the direction of Mr J S Crowther, the Cathedral architect, is showing considerable progress. By the end of the present week four bays out of six in the chancel will be covered in. [Manchester Guardian 18 August 1891 page 8]

RE-OPENING OP THE CHOIR OF MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL —The re-opening of the choir of Manchester Cathedral, after restoration and repair, took place on the 28th ult. The work of restoration was commenced in May last. It was found necessary to remove the whole of the roof, which was taken down and cleaned, and a new roof added, to the underside of which the ancient timbers were secured by bolts and keys. According to the Manchester Courier this ancient roof is supposed to have been erected by Warden William Huntington. At a later period in the history of the Cathedral, Bishop Stanley added a clerestory to the choir, in consequence of which the roof had to be taken to pieces and re-adapted for the enlarged structure. This is the third time since the roof was constructed that it has been re-arranged. The panels of the present ceiling have been cut out of the old rafters into half-inch boards, to which the ancient tracery had been affixed. The spandrels to each side of the wood corbels had hitherto been supposed to be of stone, but when the plaster was stripped off, they were found to be of wood. The whole of the plaster and whitewash or limewash has been stripped off the columns and arches. The north and south aisles have also been relieved of plaster. All the tracery has been restored and the windows cleaned. The old tabernacle work and the screens have been cleaned both in the choir and in the Lady Chapel. The windows in the Cheetham Chapel and the statues in the north and south aisles are being cleaned, while the brasses are being made visible and readable. A new communion table is being executed from designs by Mr. J. S. Crowther, the Cathedral Architect. The restoration has been carried out by Messrs. Southern and Sons, of Salford. [Builder 7 November 1891 Page 355].

Reference    Builder 7 November 1891 Page 355
Reference    Manchester Guardian 18 August 1891 page 8