Building Name

Restoration St Thomas's Church Heaton Chapel

Date
1870 - 1875
District/Town
Heaton Chapel
County/Country
GMCA, England
Work
Restoration

The rapid increase in the population of this parish of late years has made the provision of further church accommodation absolutely necessary. The old parish church of St Thomas (of which the Rev E Dudley Jackson is rector) was built 110 years ago, and has been several times enlarged, so that, from being originally of the size of a chapel of ease it is now a goodly parish church, capable of accommodating 1,200 worshippers. The last alterations, which are just completed, consist of two galleried chapels, one on each side of the chancel, by which 236 seats have been added to the church. The ceiling of the transepts has been raised, and a great additional improvement will be effected when, at some future time, the low flat ceiling of the nave is also raised. A new belfry and an elegant new porch at the principal entrance have been erected; and it is also intended to provide a lych-gate. The enlargement by the provision of two chapels, has been a clever solution of a difficult problem, by Mr Medland Taylor, architect of this city; and the best justification of these changes is found in the fact that nearly all the new pews have been let before the church is re-opened. The principal novelty, however, remains to be noticed. Some six or seven years ago we described the beautiful east window erected in the church by Mr C**runnier of Brussels. There is nothing to equal it, in the way of stained glass, in the county. The subject is the Crucifixion, and we are somewhat surprised that it has not ere this been made familiar to the public by engraving or coloured photograph. It was felt as a duty by the vestry to fill all the other windows of the church with stained glass that might not be unworthy of the neighbourhood of such a chef d’oeuvre. Unfortunately there were two inferior single light windows on either side of the transparent altar piece which could not be touched. But the other painted glass in the church, which was crowded into two windows, was taken out, the windows have been rebuilt with stone mullions, and the lights filled with stained glass. Two windows are occupied with figures of the evangelists, of St Peter and St Paul. The other windows in the nave, transepts and chapels have a delicate background of tracery, supporting the arms of the 28 sees of England and Wales, the royal arms, and those of the duchy of Lancaster. We do not know any other church so rich in ecclesiastical heraldry. The effect is excellent. The windows in the large gallery have figures and groups representing St Thomas and Charity. The wheel windows in the transept gables are filled with elegant geometric designs. All the stained glass work has been done in very good taste by Mr J Scott, of the firm Messrs Scott and Company, Oxford Street. The cost of the alterations has been £1,200 towards which £850 has been raised. The church will be re-opened tomorrow (Friday) evening, when the Bishop of Manchester will preach. [Manchester Guardian 6 October 1870 page 6]

The church of St Thomas, Heaton Chapel, has recently undergone restoration under the hands of Messrs Medland and Henry Taylor, architects, of Manchester. The flooring has been reconstructed upon a bed of concrete and a new roof replaces the flat and unsightly one previously existing. The whole of the exterior has been re-coated with cement and buttresses with stone facings added to the walls at intervals. In the interior of the church the old-fashioned pews have been removed to make way for seats of a more modern design, and accommodation is now provided for about 1100 worshippers. The chancel arch, which hitherto concealed a large portion of the east window, has been raised. In order to correspond with this window, a handsome window has been placed at the west end of the church, while the windows in the transepts have been enlarged. At the west end of the church a commodious gallery has been erected for the exclusive use of the poor. The whole of the works have been carried out at a cost of over £2,000. [British Architect 26 February 1875 Page 123]

MANCHESTER—The reopening of the Church of St. Thomas, Heaton Chapel, took place on Tuesday evening. The original structure, though erected only 130 years ago, has been restored on six occasions, the works being rendered necessary by the increasing need of sitting accommodation. Recently, under the plans of Messrs. Medland and H. Taylor, architects, of Manchester, the flooring has been reconstructed upon a bed of concrete, and a new roof now replaces the flat and unsightly one previously existing. The whole of the exterior has been re-coated with cement, and buttresses with stone facings added to the walls at intervals. The old-fashioned pews have been removed, and accommodation is now provided for upwards of 1,100 worshippers. The chancel arch, which hitherto concealed a large portion of the east window, has been raised, and in order to correspond with this window a handsome window has been placed in the west-end of the church, while the windows in the transepts have been enlarged. At the western end of the church a commodious gallery has been erected, as a local paper states -  incorrectly we hope and trust - “for the exclusive use of the poor.” The whole of the works have been carried out at a cost of over £2,000. [Building News 26 February 1875 page 250].

Reference    Manchester Guardian 6 October 1870 page 6
Reference    British Architect 26 February 1875 Page 123
Reference    Building News 26 February 1875 page 250