Rebuilding: St. Wilfrid’s Parish Church Ford Lane Northenden.
By the 1870s the medieval church was of St Wilfrid was in poor condition and a report was commissioned from J S Crowther. This concluded that the building, which lacked foundations, was structurally unsound. A further report, obtained from Paley and Austin, confirmed Crowther's conclusions and Crowther was appointed to carry out rebuilding of the existing church with the exception of the tower. The Perpendicular style of the original church was retained but the roof was raised to give a higher clerestory. Built of Alderley Edge sandstone. Stained glass to vestry by Humphries Jackson & Ambler Ltd, Cornbrook Manchester. Dated 1920. Also plain yellow glass typical of Crowther. Stone sink.
ST WILFRID’S PARISH CHURCH, NORTHENDEN - This church, which its square tower and elevated situation rendered one of the most conspicuous objects in the little village of Northenden, and which was always regarded with some interest by visitors, on account of its venerable appearance, having been, with the exception of the tower, recently pulled down, in consequence of its great age, which made it unsafe for people to assemble in, the corner stone of the new structure was laid on Saturday by Mr T W Tatton, the lord of the manor, in the presence of a large number of ladies and gentlemen. The plan and proportions of the new fabric will be very much the same as those of the one it is replacing; and the old tower, which will be allowed to remain for the present, will form part of it. The erection of the tower dates from 1550 but there appears to be no authentic account as to when the body of the old church was built. It is certain, however, that it was not the first eccesiastical building erected om that site, as the first church of St Winifred was a Saxon structure, raised on the same spot in the early days of Christianity in England. A Norman edifice replaced it after the Conquest, which in its turn succumbed to the hand of time, and the building now in course of erection is the fith occupying that site. The style of the new church will be Perpendicular, or third pointed Gothic of the characteristic Cheshire type. The architect is Mr J Crowther, of Manchester, and the contractors are Messrs T Clay and Sons, Audenshaw and Manchester. The amount of the contract is £7,500. The cost of rebuilding the nave and aisles will be defrayed by the parish; the north and south aisles will be erected at the cost of Mr T W Tatton; and the rector of the parish, the Venerable Archdeacon Johnson, contributes the cost of re-erecting the chancel. [Manchester Guardian 13 April 1874 page 6]
MANCHESTER.— St. Wilfrid's Parish Church, Northenden.— This church, which its square tower and elevated situation rendered one of the most conspicuous objects in the little village of Northenden, and which was always regarded with some interest by visitors, on account of its venerable appearance, having been, with the exception of the tower, recently pulled down in consequence of its great age, which made it unsafe for people to assemble in, the corner-stone of a new structure was laid on Saturday last by Mr. T. W. Tatton, the lord of the manor, in the presence of a large number of ladies and gentlemen. The plan and proportions of the new fabric will be very much the same as those of the one it is replacing; and the old tower, which will be allowed to remain for the present, will form part of it. The erection of the tower dates from the year 1550, but there appears to be no authentic account as to when the body of the old church was built. It is certain, however, that it was not the first ecclesiastical building erected on that site, as the first church of St. Wilfrid was a Saxon structure, raised on the same spot in the early days of Christianity in England. A Norman edifice replaced it after the Conquest, which in its turn succumbed to the hand of time, and the building now in course of erection is the fifth occupying that site. The style of the new church will be perpendicular or third pointed Gothic of the characteristic Cheshire type. The architect is Mr J. Crowther, of Manchester; and the contractors are Messrs T. Clay and Sons, Audenshaw and Manchester. The amount of the contract is £7,500. The cost of rebuilding the nave and aisles will be defrayed by the parish; the north and south aisles will be erected at the cost of Mr T. W. Tatton; and the rector of the parish, the Venerable Archdeacon Johnson, contributes the cost of re-erecting the chancel. [British Architect 17 April 1874 page 254]
NORTHENDEN - On Saturday the foundation-stone of a new parish church, dedicated to St. Wilfrid, was laid at Northenden, Cheshire. The plan and proportions of the new fabric will be very much the same as those of the one it is replacing; and the old tower will be allowed to remain and form part of it. The erection of the tower dates from the year 1550. The first church of S. Wilfrid was a Saxon structure. A Norman edifice replaced it after the Conquest, which in its turn succumbed to the hand of time, and the building now in course of erection is the fifth occupying that site. The style of the new church will be Perpendicular or Third Pointed Gothic of the characteristic Cheshire type. The architect is Mr. J. Crowther, of Manchester, and the con- tractors are Messrs. T. Clay and Sons, Audenshaw and Manchester. The amount of the contract is £7,500. [Building News 17 April 1874 page 433]
NORTHENDEN. PARISH CHURCH - On Saturday, the parish church of Northenden, which, with the exception of the tower, has been entirely rebuilt, was consecrated by the Bishop of Chester. The work of rebuilding the church has been in progress for two years under the direction of the architect, Mr Crowther of Manchester. [Manchester Guardian 5 June 1876 page 5]
Reference Manchester Guardian 4 April 1874 page 1 - Corner stone to be laid 11 April 1874
Reference Manchester Guardian 13 April 1874 page 6
Reference British Architect 17 April 1874 page 254
Reference Building News 17 April 1874 page 433
Reference Manchester Guardian 5 June 1876 page 5 – reopening