Building Name

St Johns Church St John's Road Bowdon

Date
1865 - 1866
Street
St John's Road
District/Town
Bowdon, Altrincham
County/Country
GMCA, England
Work
New Build
Contractor
Joseph Thompson

Built to accommodate the needs of a growing (working class) population, particularly in the Newtown area of Altrincham.

 

ALTRINCHAM (CHESHIRE) - The new district church of St. John, Altrincham, has just been begun. The site is the plot of land between the east end of the schools known as St. Margaret's, near the Bowdon Station and the Ashley-road. Accommodation is provided for about 950 persons, all of whom, except a few in a small gallery over the western porch, will be seated on the ground-floor. The plan consists of a broad nave of five bays, with north and south aisles, north and south transepts, and a large western porch; adjoining which, on the north, is the baptistery, which is marked off from the north aisle by a small triple arcade. On the south of this porch is the steeple. The chancel is of large dimensions, and terminates apsidally to the east. The seats are all open benches, with sloping seat-boards and backs. Places for hats, umbrellas, and books are provided. The arcades between the nave and aisles are of four arches each, of such width that there are considerably fewer pillars than usual for so large a church. The western gallery is not large, and comes over the porch, so that very few sittings are below it. It is so arranged that it shall not mutilate any window, arch, or other feature. The stairs to it are of stone, and the lower part of the balustrade is screened from sight from below. The style is Early Decorated. The material is stone, of three or four kinds for the outside, and for the pillars and other similar features inside. The contract has been taken by Mr. Joseph Thompson, of Manchester, who is proceeding with the work under the direction of the architect, Mr. J. Medland Taylor, of Manchester. [Builder 5 August 1865 Page 558]

 

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, ALTRINCHAM - The site of the new church is the plot of land between the east end of S. Margaret's schools and Ashley-road, not far from Bowdon station. It is close to the large and rapidly-increasing population of New Town. The architect is Mr J. Medland Taylor, of Manchester, and the contractor Mr Joseph Thompson, of the same city. Accommodation is provided for about 950 persons, all of whom, except a few small gallery over the western porch, will be seated on the ground floor. The plan consists of broad nave of five bays, with north and south aisles, and north and south transepts. There is large western porch, and adjoining it, on the north side, is the baptistry, which is marked off from the north aisle a small triple arcade. On the south of the porch is the steeple. The chancel is of large dimensions and terminates apsidally to the east. The chancel aisles open by arches into the chancel and transepts, and these arches are filled to the height of about seven feet with arcaded wooden screens. The interior perspective views in the church thus wonderfully gain in picturesqueness of effect. The north chancel aisle is fitted up as a vestry, and the south is arranged for the organ chamber. The size and number of the doors will allow the congregation to disperse quickly, but care has been taken in determining the position of the several doors to avoid unpleasant draughts. The passages, porches, and chancel are laid with tiles patterns ; those the chancel being the special gift of one of the committee. The seats are all open benches, with easy sloping seatboards and backs. Convenient places for hats, umbrellas, and books are provided, and such width of seat is given as to allow the occupants to sit and kneel without discomfort. The chancel is well raised above the nave, so that the minister when standing at the Lord's table shall be well in view of the congregation. There are low open altar-rails, and two rows of choir seats on each side of the chancel. Just outside the chancel arch, which is moulded and carried on corbelled marble shafts, stand—on the north the pulpit, and on the south the prayer-desk and lectern. The arcades between the nave and aisles are of four arches each, and of such width that there are considerably fewer pillars than usual for large church. Thus boldness of effect is obtained, and any disadvantage arising out of what is called obstructiveness pillars reduced to the least. The western gallery not large, and comes over the porch, so that very few sittings are below it. is so arranged that it shall not mutilate any window or arch, or other feature, be disfigurement to the church. The stairs to it are of stone, of easy ascent, and the lower part of the balustrade is screened from sight below. The architectural style is what is called "early decorated."' The material is stone, of three or four kinds for the outside, and for the pillars and other similar features inside. Seen externally from the south-east, the five-sided apse, with its traceried windows, rises to a great height from the Ashley Road, the lower roofs of the organ chamber and vestry adding to the apparent height. Beyond the former again comes the south transept, gabled transversely to the nave and containing four-light window. More to the west is the south isle, lighted by six two-light windows, and over its sloping root—the clerestory. Further tc the west, making the central point in the group of church and schools, is the steeple, rising height of upwards of 140 feet. On it lowest stage is the south door; above this, on the west face, two-light window; then the windows of the ringing loft; and above these bold belfry windows, each with gabled hood over it. A carved cornice marks the springing of the spire, which has gabled spire lights and bands of quartre-foiled and trefoiled openings intervals; weathercock surmounts the whole. The west elevation shows large and elaborate traceried window of four lights, and under it a double doorway, 13 feet wide. In the north corner appears the baptistery, covered with separate roof, and also distinguished by different windows. Almost all the windows in the church are well traceried. The pulpit of white Caen stone, relieved by carving, and the insertion alabaster panels. is circular in its shape, and series of moulded arches runs all round—their upper part being pierced and open. There is a carved cornice round the top, and round the Vase the words " The Messenger of the Lord of Hosts." The body of the pulpit is sustained by moulded and carved corbels, which spring from a dwarf circular column— red, with white cap and base. The font circular bowl, carried on a low stone pier, which is surrounded by four marble pillars with foliated caps, the tops of which lean against the circular bowl, after the fashion of buttresses. Alternating with these the bowl is adorned with circular medallions containing symbolic carvings. The font, of course, stands within the baptistery before mentioned. The three apse windows are filled with coloured glass grisaille patterns, by Layers and Barraud. The vestry and baptistry windows are filled with similar glass, and have also, as part of the pattern, scriptural inscriptions suitable for the respective places. The heating apparatus is Haden's. Three small grids only at the eastern end heat the whole of the church. Mr Haden guarantees the power of obtaining a greater warmth than is likely ever to be wanted. He also states that the west end—furthest away from the apparatus shall be the hottest. The air heated by this apparatus has been chemically tested, and proved to be as pure as that without the building. The gas fittings are pendants,  in the nave; simpler pendants in the aisles, and brackets elsewhere. These are made Mr. Dovey, who has also the contract for the wrought-iron gates to the churchyard. The vestry is fitted with vestment closet, table, chairs, umbrella-stand, lavatory, and every convenience. Below there is additional 3pace that may be made available for the choir as their vestry. The slating the roofs is arranged patterns of blue green, in such way make the surfaces of the roofs themselves ornamental feature. The builder's contract is £5,330, for which a church with its tower, and spire and fittings (not omitting bell) complete, is provided; which will comfortably accommodate 940. [Manchester Courier Thursday 14 December 1865 page 6]

ALTRINCHAM (MANCHESTER) - A new church has just been opened. It is of the Early Decorated style, and consists of a broad nave of five bays, with north and south aisles, and north and south transepts. There is a western porch, and adjoining it on the north side is the baptistery which is marked off from the north aisle by a small triple arcade: on the south of the porch is the steeple, which rises to a height of 140ft. The chancel aisles open by arches into the chancel and transepts, and these arches are filled to the height of 7 feet with arcaded wooden screens. The material is stone of three or four kinds. Accommodation is provided for 950 persons. Mr J M Taylor was the architect, and Mr J. Thompson the builder, Manchester. The builder's contract was £5,330. [Building News 11 January 1867 page 37]

ALTRINCHAM - St. John's church has been consecrated. The site of the new church is the plat of land between the east end of St. Margaret's schools and Ashley-road, not far from Bowdon station. It is close to the large and rapidly-increasing population of New Town. The architect is Mr. J. Medland Taylor, of Manchester; and the contractor Mr. Joseph Thompson, of the same city. Accommodation is provided for about 950 persons, all of whom, except a few in a small gallery over the western porch, will be seated on the ground-floor. The plan consists of a broad nave of five bays, with north and south aisles, and north and south transepts. There is a large western porch; and adjoining it, on the north side, is the baptistery, which is marked off from the north aisle by a small triple arcade. On the south of the porch is the steeple. The chancel is of large dimensions and terminates apsidally to the east. The chancel aisles open by arches into the chancel and transepts, and these arches are filled to the height of about 7 ft. with arcaded wooden screens. The style is Early Decorated. The material is stone, of three or four kinds for the outside, and for the pillars and other similar features inside. The steeple rises to a height of upwards of 140 ft. The three apse windows are filled with glass in grisaille patterns, by Lavers & The vestry and baptistery windows are filled with similar glass, and have also, as part of the pattern, Scriptural inscriptions suitable for the respective places. The heating apparatus is Haden's. The builder's contract was £5,330. [The Builder 5 January 1867 page 17]

Reference    Pevsner: Cheshire
Reference    Builder 5 August 1865 Page 558
Reference    Manchester Courier Thursday 14 December 1865 page 6
Reference    Building News 11 January 1867 page 37
Reference    Builder 5 January 1867 page 17