Building Name

Moss Side Unitarian Church, Shrewsbury Street

Date
1899 - 1901
Street
Shrewsbury Street
District/Town
Old Trafford, Stretford, Trafford
County/Country
GMCA, England
Client
Moss Side Unitarian Congregation
Work
New build
Status
Derelict
  • Moss Side Congregation established March 1887
  • School Chapel opened 6 February 1892
  • Church opened 5 October 1901

Moss Side Unitarian Church was established 1887 with services held in Moss Side Liberal Club. By February 1892 a school chapel to the designs of J W and R F Beaumont (qv) had been opened on a site large enough to accommodate the building of a church at some future date. By 1896 the church had still not cleared its debts in relation to the original school-chapel and held a three-day bazaar in order to raise the necessary £500. Only at this stage did the church commence fund raising for the new church building. In 1899 the church was left £4,000 by William Roberts and it would seem that only at this stage were there sufficient funds to allow building works to proceed. The church opened in October 1901. As yet no detailed description of the church has been found, nor the name of the architect responsible. The Manchester Guardian and the Manchester Courier state the cost of the building to be £6,000. The committee should therefore have had a budget of £6,000 exclusive of any donation from Joseph Nasmith (see below).

THE CHURCHES - Now that arrangements are being made for the unveiling of the Gladstone statue in Albert Square, provided by money left for that purpose by the late Mr. William Roberts, it is interesting to note that by the same will a sum of £4,000 was left for the building of a Unitarian church for the Moss Side congregation, of which Mr. Roberts was a member. To this sum the other members of the Moss Side Unitarian Free Church, Shrewsbury-street, Brooks's Bar, subscribed another £2,000, and the new church, which has cost £6,000, exclusive of organ, pulpit, etc. will be opened on Saturday afternoon, October 5, when the dedication service will be conducted by the Rev. Charles Roper, pastor, and the sermon preached by the Rev. J. Estlin Carpenter, of Oxford. A public meeting will be held in the evening, …... Another £1,000 will be required to completely equip the building. [Manchester Guardian 23 September 1901 page 7] 

MOSS SIDE UNITARIAN CHURCH - The dedication service in connection with the new Moss Side Unitarian Free Church took place on Saturday afternoon. The service was conducted by the Rev. Chas.Roper (pastor). and a sermon was delivered by the Rev T. Estlin Carpenter (Oxford). Solos were rendered by Miss M. Lane and Mr. F. Ridsdale Bowley. In the evening a public meeting was held, which was presided over by Mr. John Tyson. An address was delivered by Mr. W. Blake Odgers, K.C. (president of the British and Foreign Unitarian Association), who referred to the rapid growth of Unitarianism in the district, and said that, the efforts of the worship in erecting that fine place of worship deserved every praise. Other local members of the Unitarian body also spoke. The new church has cost £6.000. which has been subscribed practically by the members. The scheme of the promoters is not yet perfect, there being still required an organ, pulpit, new hymn books, and other articles. for the provision of which an additional sum of £1,000 is wanted. [Manchester Courier 7 October 1901 page 8]

On 22/23 December1940 the church was damaged by enemy bombing, after which services were held in the school-chapel. The church closed in 1947.

 Joseph Nasmith, textile machinery manufacturer, offered to donated £2,000 towards the cost of a new church provided the congregation raised a similar amount. [Victorian Nonconformity page 24} CHECK reference.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 23 September 1901 page 7
Reference    Manchester Courier 7 October 1901 page 8
Reference    Christian Life 12 October 1901 page 491
Reference    Christian Life 6 March 1937 page113
Reference    Christian Life 3 April 1937 page 165
Reference    The Inquirer 5 October 1901 page 636
Reference    The Inquirer 12 October 1901 page 651-2
Reference    The Inquirer 12 March 1904 page 173
Reference    The Inquirer 22 February 1941 page 61