St Mary the Virgin, Davyhulme Lane, Davyhulme, Manchester

Truefitt  won the competition for St. Mary the Virgin, Davyhulme in 1887 but work was delayed for a year whilst he completed Aboyne Castle for the Marquis of Huntly(?).  Building work on the Church was commenced in 1889 and Mrs Moorhouse, the wife of the Bishop of Manchester, laid the foundation stone on 13th July of that year.  The Church was finished the following year at a cost of £4,000 (an overspend of £400) and the Bishop was able to dedicate and consecrate it on June 23rd 1890 which he said it was  “of a novel construction.” The Church is built in ashlar and Cheshire sandstone which is complemented by the simulated stone of the Church Hall and both buildings are roofed in brown Redland tiles.

CHURCH EXTENSION AT DAVYHULME - On Saturday, Mrs Moorhouse, wife of the Bishop of Manchester, laid the foundation stone of the new church of St. Mary the Virgin, Davyhulme. The church is being erected to meet the growing requirements of district, which has of late years been formed out of the old parish of Flixton.  …. The church is to be built in the Gothic style of architecture by Messrs. Southern and Sons, of Salford, from the designs of Mr. George Truefitt, architect, of Bloomsbury-square, London, the total cost, exclusive of site, will about £4,250. [Manchester Courier 20 July 1889 page 15]

CHURCH CONSECRATION AT DAVYHULME - The new church of St Mary the Virgin, Davyhulme, was consecrated yesterday by the Bishop of Manchester. The church, which is situated in Davyhulme Lane, is built on land given by Mr J N Entwistle of Foxholes, Rochdale, and an inscription on one of the exterior walls reads “to the glory of God, and to the memories of R H Norreys, of Davyhulme Hall, and his sisters Mary Norreys and Isabella Bowers, wife of the Very Rev G H Bowers, some time dean of this diocese; and the cost was defrayed chiefly from gifts made by them to their nephew J Norreys Entwistle, of Foxholes, who founded this church and gave the land.”

The edifice is cruciform in shape and has been erected from the designs of Mr G Truefitt of London, the builders being Messrs Southern and Sons of Salford. The distinguishing feature of the church is an octagonal lantern open to the roof. The materials used are Yorkshire parpoints faced with Runcorn stone. Seating accommodation is provided for 350 worshippers and the estimated cost is £4,000. [Manchester Guardian 24 June 1890 page 5]

CONSECRATION OF ST. MARY'S, DAVYHULME - The new church dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin at Davyhulme, was consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester yesterday.  The new parish been formed out of the parishes of St. Catherine's, Barton, and St. Michael's, Flixton. The church is cruciform in shape, with octagonal dome, and been designed by Mr G Truefitt, architect, of London. Its total cost about £4,000, and it will seat persons. The money has been raised as follows: Legacies £1,050, bazaar and sale of work £540, Diocesan Church Building Society £130, and the remainder by public subscription. The site, with churchyard, covers 3,000 square yards. The external walls are built of Yorkshire pierpoints with red Runcorn stone facings. It is very solid and compact structure. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs Moorhouse, wife of the Bishop of Manchester, on the 13th July, 1889. The land was given by Mr and Mrs J. N. Entwistle, of Foxholes, near Rochdale, who inherited the estate of the late Mr R. H, Norreys, of Davyhulme Hall. floor of the church has been laid with wood pavement, and the chancel has been paved with tiles. The font was presented by the architect, whose daughter carved the oak cover, which was given by Sir W. Cunliffe Brooks, Bart., M.P. Upon it are the hon. baronet's initials, "W. C. B."

A stone at the east end of the church is thus inscribed: This church was built to the glory of God and to the memories of R. H. Norreys, Esq., of Davyhulme Hall, and his sisters, Mary Norreys and Isabella Bowers, wife of the Very Rev. G. H. Bowers, D.D., sometime Dean of this diocese, and the cost was defrayed chiefly from gifts made by them to their nephew, Mr John Norreys Entwistle, of Foxholes, who founded the church and gave the land." [Manchester Courier 24 June 1890 page 6]

Foundation     13 July 1889
Consecration   23 June 1890

Reference    Manchester Guardian 15 July 1889 page 6 - foundation stone
Reference    Manchester Courier 20 July 1889 page 15 – foundation stone
Reference    Manchester Guardian 24 June 1890 page 5- consecration
Reference    Manchester Courier 24 June 1890 page 6