St. Margaret’s Church Bury Old Road Holyrood Prestwich.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF ST MARGARET’S PRESTWICH - On Wednesday last the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new Church of St. Margaret, Prestwich, by her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, took place. The site of the new Church is in Rooden Lane, on a piece of land just outside the walls of Heaton Park.  Its erection is mainly owing to the exertions and liberality of the Venerable Archdeacon Rushton, who is the Rector of Prestwich, and of the Earl of Wilton.  His Lordship, we understand, has not only given the site of the Church, but contributes £500 out of the £2,000 which is the estimated cost of the edifice.  The Venerable Archdeacon has also, we believe, contributed largely to the erection, and the remainder of the cost is to be defrayed by subscriptions.

The Church is to be built in the decorated style of English architecture, and will consist of a chancel with an aisle and a vestry on the north side; a nave with north and south aisles and a north porch.  There will be no tower, but a winding staircase, descending to the chamber for the heating apparatus, will be carried up in an octangular form to serve as a bellcote, and finished ornamentally.  The nave and aisles will be seated with benches to accommodate 500 people.  It is intended to construct the roof timbers in ornamental forms, with carved and moulded braces, purlieus, cornices, 8rc. The walls of the Church will be faced with stone in small courses, the doors, windows, buttresses, &c., having dressings of ashlar.

The proceedings commenced by a Service at Prestwich Church, which was numerously attended, notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather.  Amongst those present were their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cambridge, and the Princess Mary of Cambridge, the Grand Duke and Duchess of Mecklenburgh Strelitz, Prince Alexander Schonburgh, the Earl and Countess of Wilton, Mr. and Lady Charlotte Lyster, Baron Knesebeck, and Mr. Mildmay, equerry to his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.  These formed the party of the Earl and Countess of Wilton, and were at the time all staying at Heaton Park.  The Bishop of Manchester, the Venerable Archdeacon, and several of the Clergy of the neighbourhood were also present.The inscription on the brass plate deposited in a cavity under the foundation stone read:

Gloria in excelsis ‑This corner stone of a church dedicated to the honour and worship of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, by the name of St. Margaret, Prestwich, was laid by her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, on Wednesday, the third day of October, A.D. 1849.  The Right Hon. Thomas Egerton, Earl of Wilton, patron of the Rectory of Prestwich the Right Rev. James Prince, D.D., first Bishop of Manchester John Rushton, D.D., Archdeacon of Manchester, Rector of Prestwich; Henry Travis and Wm. Mangnall, architects.

[Manchester Guardian Saturday, October 6th, 1849, page 8, col 6]

Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday, October 6th, 1849, page 8, col 6 – foundation
Reference    Manchester Guardian 1 May 1850 page 1 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 4 May 1850 page 3 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 11 May 1850 page 3 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 15 May 1850 page 1 – contracts
ICBS 04143     New Church,   CBC Grant approved. Minutes: Volume 13 page 292, Volume 14 page 306.Drawings: Ground plan (after work)