Roof, All Saints Church, All Saints

 ALL SAINTS, MANCHESTER, — This church which, it may be remembered, was partially destroyed by fire, has been lately re-opened, after having undergone a thorough lath and plaster reparation. To describe it technically would be rather perplexing, it being one of those wretched structures erected about thirty years since, orientating north and south. The present arrangement is nearly similar to the old, save that a shallow chancel has been added, on what originally was the site of the vestry, that building having been pushed further southward. The nave is a parallelogram, entirely filled with pews and galleries. Above the added chancel on either side of the gallery floor, the organ is placed and it is played by a person in front of the pulpit. Longitudinal seats are constructed on each side of the nave for the choristers (who are properly vested) and at the west end of each is a seat for the officiating priests; that on the south side being used for saying the prayers. A massive carved eagle lectern is placed in the middle between these seats.  These are remarkable improvements; but, unfortunately, an immense, tall, unsightly pulpit is placed immediately in the centre, just before the chancel rail, thereby concealing the view of the sanctuary entirely from the nave. The altar itself is correctly vested, raised on a foot pace, and detached from the wall, and the sanctuary is approached by three steps. At the re-opening the altar was decked with a pair of candlesticks which on a late visit we found had been removed. The east window, a broad unsightly opening is filled with large circles of glass, painted on the outside, and has a miserable appearance. It is hoped, however, some day to replace it by proper stained glass. [Ecclesiologist December 1850 page 265]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 16 February 1850 page 11 – contracts
Reference    Ecclesiologist December 1850 page 265