Restoration: St. Ann's Church, St Ann's Square, Manchester (1887)

St Ann’s, the last remaining eighteenth century church in the city centre, had been designed as an auditory church with emphasis upon the pulpit, a liturgy far removed from that of the late nineteenth century, where communion was paramount. It was therefore a surprise to find Waterhouse, the great proponent of the Gothic style, so remarkably restrained and sensitive in his restorations, proving himself equally adept and imaginative when working in the unaccustomed Classical style. The Manchester City News (April 1887) records that “Mr Alfred Waterhouse ARA has prepared plans for a number of alterations in the interior of St Ann's Church”. These alterations included a new altar and reredos and the replacement of the columns supporting the galleries. The galleries themselves were retained, as was the original altar while Waterhouse sat the original three-tier pulpit in a well in the floor, thereby reducing its apparent height. But perhaps the most astonishing of the “Restorations” is the additional door formed to St Ann’s Square. Constructed in teak and entirely Classical it is almost unbelievably by Waterhouse. [John Archer}

The oldest church in Manchester, except the cathedral, is St. Anne's (sic), which is situated in the very centre of the city near to the Royal Exchange. The church is in a very bad state of repair generally, and Mr. A. Waterhouse, R.A., has been asked to prepare a report for the guidance of the rector and the committee. The idea is in the first place to repair and re-slate the roof, to clean and decorate the interior of the church, and to form new vestries and a chapel at the end of the north and south aisles respectively; also to restore the organ and re-arrange the porches and staircases, to beautify the chancel and, if possible, insert memorial stained-glass windows, besides other work. [British Architect 4 March 1887 page 170]

Mr Alfred Waterhouse ARA has prepared plans for a number of alterations in the interior of St Ann's Church, Manchester. [ Manchester City News 16 April 1887 Page 5 Col 3 (personal)]

Plans, prepared by Mr. Alfred Waterhouse, R.A. for the restoration of St. Ann's Parish Church, Manchester, were last week adopted by the parochial vestry. [Building News 29 April 1887 page 659]

Reference        British Architect 4 March 1887 page 170
Reference        Manchester City News 16 April 1887 Page 5 Col 3 (personal)
Reference        Building News 29 April 1887 page 659
Reference        John Archer. Vic Soc notes