Proposed Restoration (1) St Mary’s Church, The Parsonage, Manchester

RESTORATION OF ST MARY’S CHURCH, PARSONAGE – Plans have just been prepared by Mr Asahel P Bell, architect, of this city, for a considerable reconstruction of St Mary’s Parsonage. The church, erected and consecrated in 1756, is in a miserable condition and greatly needs renovation. The estimated cost of the work is £1,500 and the proposed work will involve the thorough remodelling of the interior, making good all structural defects. It is intended to re-seat the ground floor with open benches, making use of the old pew framing for that purpose. The west gallery is to be removed, the organ being placed in a new chamber on the ground floor on the south side of the chancel. By the removal of the west gallery, an archway will be opened out under the tower in which will be formed the baptistery. The chancel will be extended one bay into the nave, at which point will rise the chancel arch. Vestries are to be arranged in the north aisle, and provision made for building new heating chambers and placing new heating apparatus. The remaining work will consist of replacing defective masonry. …. The old unsightly stump of the spire will be removed, and the tower will alone remain. [Manchester Guardian 19 May 1881 page 6]

Reference           Manchester Guardian 19 May 1881 page 6

It seems probable that this scheme was not implemented. See also J S Crowther