Restoration and Alteration: St Paul’s Church Kersal Salford

ECCLESIASTICAL INTELLIGENCE. THE BISHOP OF LIVERPOOL AT ST. PAUL'S, KERSAL. His Lordship the Bishop of Liverpool preached yesterday, morning- and evening, St. Paul's Church, Kersal, to crowded congregations, on the occasion of the reopening of the chancel, and the completion of alterations which have been made in other parts of the church, which have added considerably to both comfort and convenience. The purpose of these alterations was to add to the light at the east and west ends, and the effect is great improvement to the building generally. The buttresses supporting the pillars that hold the roof of the chancel have been removed, thus widening that part of the church, and the organ has been taken down from the gallery the west end and placed in a chamber specially built for it on the south side of the chancel. new stained-glass window has been put the east end, and the one it replaces has been removed to the west end. The floor of the chancel has been re-laid with mosaic. New seats of carved oak have been placed in this part of the church, and the old-fashioned pulpit and reading desk have given place to a handsomely-carved oak pulpit— the private gift of one of the congregation—and lectern, which has not yet arrived. Among the minor attractions are the addition to the screen at the west end, the erection of two handsome brass candelabra in the chancel, a new altar cloth, and an entire set of new hymn books throughout the church. All these improvements have been carried out by the private subscriptions of the congregation, under the supervision of the architect of the church, Mr. Colley, of King Street, in this city.  [Manchester Courier Monday 5 October 1885 page 8]

ST PAUL’S, KERSAL -Yesterday's services at St Paul’s Kersal formed, to some extent, a celebration of the extensions and improvements that have recently been effected in the Church. The organ has been taken from the gallery at the west end where it formerly stood, and placed in an organ chamber that has been erected at the east end of the building. New seats for the choir and a new pulpit have also been provided, and other needed Improvements carried out. The extensions and improvements have cost close upon £1,000. The sermon yesterday morning was preached by the Bishop of Liverpool, and the Bishop of Manchester, the Rev Prebendary MacDonald (the rector), and his son and the Rev Mr Stephens, the curate, also took part in conducting the service. [Manchester Guardian 5 October 1885 page 7]

ST PAUL’S, KERSAL -A series of alterations have just been completed at St. Paul's Church, Kersal, Manchester. They have been made without suspending the services for a single Sunday and have mainly consisted of the removal of the organ from the west end to a new chamber on the south of the chancel, the taking down of the west gallery, and the construction of a new chancel arch 2 feet 6in. wider than the old archway. An organ screen has been erected, and the choir seats increased so as to seat twenty-four persons. A pulpit and prayer desk are also provided, and a brass eagle lectern will shortly complete the whole. The work has been completed from the designs and under the superintendence of Mr. A.H. Davies-Colley, King-street, Manchester. [Building News 16 October 1885 page 608] 

Reference    Manchester Courier Monday 5 October 1885 page 8
Reference    Manchester Guardian 5 October 1885 page 7
Reference    Building News 16 October 1885 page 608