Building Name

St Matthews School Church Ardwick

Date
1865
District/Town
Manchester
County/Country
GMCA, England
Work
New Build
Contractor
Barnes and Howe

OPENING OF ST. MATTHEW'S SCHOOL CHURCH, ARDWICK.—This building was opened for divine service according to the ritual of the Church of England on Saturday last.  The rapidly increasing population in the neighbourhood of the Hyde-road, adjoining which this school church is situated, has for some time urgently called for more church accommodation. The plan consists of nave (to used in the week for a schoolroom) and shallow chancel, with transept for children. The nave is 61 feet long and 30 feet wide. At the west end is an infants' school, 33 feet by 16 feet. There is a vestry and kitchen, or boiler-room, at the opposite end of the building. There is open timbered roof stained deal. Low open benches, with backs, are provided for the services on Sundays. The chancel is fitted with a simple moulded altar rail, Communion table of somewhat quaint design, standing on footpace, and prayer desk and sedilia. The lessons will be read from lectern. The east window is of stone, and is filled with tinted glass arranged in geometrical patterns. The chancel floor is laid with 13roseley tiles. The material is chiefly red brick, banded with blue. Over the chancel arch is slated bell turret of simple design, in which bell is hung. On the lintel over the main entrance from Church-street is carved the text " Behold the fear of the Lord: that is wisdom." The cost is about £930, and the large room will seat about persons. The building has been erected by Messrs. Barnes and Howe, builders, of Ardwick, from the design of the architect, Mr J. Medland Taylor, of St. Ann's Churchyard. [Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser Saturday 11 March 1865 page 9].

ARDWICK (LANCASHIRE) - St. Matthew's School Church, Ardwick, has been opened for divine service. The plan consists of a nave (to be used in the week for a school-room) and shallow chancel, with a transept for children. The nave is 61 feet long and 30 feet wide. At the west end is an infants' school, 33 feet by 16 feet. There is a vestry and a kitchen, or boiler-room, at the opposite end of the building. The edifice has an open-timbered roof of stained deal. Low open benches, with backs, are provided for the service on Sundays. The chancel is fitted with a simple moulded altar-rail, communion-table standing on a footpace, and prayer desk and sedilia. The east window is of stone, and is filled with tinted glass arranged in geometrical patterns. The chancel floor is laid with Broseley tiles. The material is chiefly red brick, banded with blue.  Over the chancel arch is a slated bell turret of simple design, in which a bell is hung. The cost is about £930, and the large room will seat about 346 persons. The building has been erected by Messrs. Barnes & Howe, of Ardwick, builders, from the design of the architect, Mr. J. Medland Taylor. [Builder 1 April 1865 page 233]

Reference    Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser  11 March 1865 page 9
Reference    Builder 1 April 1865 page 233