R C Church of SS John and Thomas (St John Fisher and St Thomas More) Benchill Wythenshawe

Manchester’s newest Roman Catholic church, which will be opened on the Benchill Estate, Wythenshawe by the Bishop of Shrewsbury (Dr A J Moriarty) on Sunday will be the first in this country to be dedicated jointly to the new saints Thomas More and John Fisher. The church which will be known as SS Thomas and John has been erected at a cost of £6,500 and will provide seating accommodation for 550 people. Its erection was necessitated by the large influx of Roman Catholics into the district as a result of the slum clearance schemes. [Manchester Guardian 9 August 1935 page 10]

The walls of the first Roman Catholic church to be built on the Wythenshawe estate were blessed on Saturday evening by the priest in charge, the Rev J F D=Alton whose church is the first in England to be dedicated to the saints Thomas More and John Fisher. The Bishop of Shrewsbury, Dr A J Moriarty, opened the church this morning.

Messrs E B Norris and F M Reynolds are the architects for this new building. Their design is one of beauty and simplicity. Though essentially modern, the church is in no way pretentious. The outside walls are of light rough brick. The roof is flat, but the roof line above the main door is raised somewhat and the windows with green metal frames, are long and narrow. Inside the dominating impression is one of lightness and loftiness. The walls are clear white without decoration of any kind, and the altar is set back slightly within a high sweeping arch. The doors are pale blue and the electric lamps hang on long metal rods painted red. The white walls set off in a splendid way today the purple scarlet and gold vestments of the priests. The new church has accommodation for over 700 people, and it has cost £6,500 to build. During the past two years there has been a large influx of Roman Catholics. [Manchester Guardian 12 August 1935 page 11]

 Architect    E B Norris and F N Reynolds (Hill Sandy and Norris)

Reference    Manchester Guardian 9 August 1935 page 10
Reference    Manchester Guardian 12 August 1935 page 11- opening
Reference    Hartwell/Pevners. Lancashire, Manchester and the South-East page