RC School-Chapel, Fairfax Road, Prestwich

THE NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH AND SCHOOL - Mr. Hill, architect, of Albert-square, Manchester. has been chosen to draw the plans for the proposed new Catholic Church and School, which will be erected in Fairfax-road, Prestwich. The cost will be about £2.000, and will include, besides the church, a room for Sunday and day-school work, and classrooms.  [Middleton Guardian - Saturday 7 June 1890 page 3]

The foundation-stone of a new Roman Catholic school-chapel was laid last week in Fairfax-street, Prestwich, Manchester. The building will cost about £2,000; Mr. Oswald Hill, of Manchester, is the architect, and Mr. Robert Neill, of the same city, the contractor. [Building News 21 November 1890 page 741]

NEW SCHOOL AT PRESTWICH - Mr. William Mather, M.P. laid the foundation stone on Saturday of a school for the education of the Catholic children of Prestwich and district. About twelve months ago a Catholic mission was started at Prestwich under the superintendence of Father David Walshe. Services were regularly held in the Co-operative Hall, but, the accommodation becoming inadequate, land was purchased in Fairfax-street on which to erect a building which would serve as a school and chapel combined. The new building, which is estimated to cost £2,000, will be erected from the designs of Mr. Oswald Hill, of Manchester.  Towards the cost about £800 have been subscribed. The contract has been placed in the hands of Mr. Robert Niell, and it is expected that early in the new year the building will be ready for the purposes for which it has been designed.  …..  The ceremony of laying the foundation stone was then proceeded with. A silver trowel was presented to Mr Mather by the founders of the school, a handsome mallet by the architect, and a spirit level by the contractor. The stone was blessed by the Rev. Canon Beesley, of St. John's Cathedral, Salford, who was accompanied by a number of the Catholic clergy of Salford and district. [Tablet - Saturday 15 November 1890 page 33]

NEW ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH FOR PRESTWICH - The Roman Catholic Bishop of Salford yesterday officiated at the opening of a new school chapel which has been erected near the station at that place at a cost of about £2,000. by Messrs. R. Neill and Sons of Salford, from designs by Mr. Oswald Hill. The foundation stone was laid on the 8th of November last. The building is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is of brick, with stone dressings, each side being strengthened with eight buttresses. There is an apse at the east end for chancel. There are two rooms, upper and lower, in the building. each of the same proportions, viz., 70ft. by 33ft. The ground floor is to be used for a school, and the upper room for divine service. A stone staircase from the exterior communicates with both rooms. There is choir gallery at the west end of the church proper. The building is well-lighted and the interior presents a bright and cheerful appearance. Over the altar is a painting of the Virgin Mary presented by the Bishop. [Manchester Courier - Monday 17 August 1891 Page 6]  

Reference    Middleton Guardian - Saturday 7 June 1890 page 3
Reference    Building News 21 November 1890 page 741
Reference    Tablet - Saturday 15 November 1890 page 33 foundation stone
Reference    Manchester Courier - Monday 17 August 1891 Page 6