St Cuthbert’s RC Church Withington: Additions

W1THINGTON - OPENING OF ST. CUTHBERT'S CHURCH.—The new Church of St: Cuthbert, Palatine-road, Withington, of which the foundation-stone was laid by Cardinal Vaughan when Bishop of Salferd about sixteen years ago, was formally opened on Sunday. Services have for several years been held In the portion first built. A few years ago the Rev. J. Rowntree undertook the task of completing the building, and he has at last the satisfaction of seeing the work brought to a successful termination. There were special services to mark the event.

The new church, which is estimated to cost £15,000, has been designed by Messrs. W. Telford Gunson and Sons, of Manchester, and is in the Byzantine style of architecture. The length of the building is 100 ft., the width across the transepts 48 feet, with a height throughout of 60 feet. The church, which provides seating accommodation for 450 people, is handsomely decorated by means of a high dado of tiled work that extends all round the building. The rest of the walls are of polished brick, in which spaces are left for the insertion of pictures of the Stations of the Cross or of saints. The church is lighted by electricity, and when the walls have dried sufficiently a new organ by Messrs. Wadsworth and Sons, Manchester, will be placed in the gallery which has been erected over the sacristy and the confessionals. Many gifts have been made to the church by generous friends, including a marble altar, now being made by Mr. I. Alberti, and a second altar for the Lady Chapel. A marble baptismal font and rails, a handsome thurible, and candlesticks, carpets, and ether articles have also been presented by members of the congregation. [Tablet  29 November 1902 page 39]

WITHINGTON, MANCHESTER - The new Roman Catholic Church of St. Cuthbert, Palatine-road, Withington, was formally opened on Sunday. The new church, which has cost £15,000, has been designed by Messrs. W. Telford Gunson and Sons, of Manchester, and is in the Byzantine style of architecture. The length is 100 ft., the width across the transepts 68 ft., and there is a height throughout of 60 ft. The church, which provides seating accommodation for 450 people, is decorated by a high dado of tiled work that extends all round the building. The rest of the walls are of polished brick, in which spaces are left for the insertion of pictures of the Stations of the Cross or of saints. [Building News 28 November 1902]

NEW ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT WITHINGTON - The new Roman Catholic Church of St. Cuthbert, Palatine Road, Withington, of which the foundation stone was laid by the Bishop of Salford about sixteen months ago, was formally opened yesterday. The new church, which is estimated to cost £15,000, has been designed Messrs. W. Telford and Sons, Manchester, and is in the Byzantine style of architecture. In this respect it is reproduction in miniature of the new Roman Catholic Cathedral at Westminster. The length of the building is 100 ft., the width across the transepts 68 ft., with a height throughout of 60 feet. The church, which provides seating accommodation for 450 people, is handsomely decorated. In the course of his sermon in the morning service Father Poock, of St. Bede's College, said that Catholicism had made great strides in this country since 1829, previous to which no Catholic could occupy any State office, be a member of Parliament, or vote for one. Between 1837 and 1901 number of Roman Catholic priests had increased fivefold, the number churches fourfold, the number of religious houses thirty-fourfold, the number of schools twentyfold, and of children in the schools thirty-four-fold. He had the greatest faith in the future of Catholicism in England. By prayer and faith England could be reconverted as surely as faith could remove mountains. Catholics must take an interest in all public affairs; they must be the salt of the earth, and let their light so shine that men might see their good works aid glorify their Father. [Manchester Evening News - Monday 24 November 1902 page 5]

Reference    Builder 27 July 1901 Page 85
Reference    Builder 3 August 1901 Page 115
Reference    The Tablet 29 November 1902 page 39
Reference    British Architect 28 November 1902 Page 394
Reference    Building News 28 November 1902 page 758]
Reference    Builder 6 December 1902 page 534
Reference    Manchester Evening News - Monday 24 November 1902 page 5

 
Notes: Original Church by Messrs Goldie of London