St Matthias Broughton Road Salford

• FoundationStone laid 6 September 1841

Mr Walters is the architect of a larger church at Broughton Bridge, which is contracted for at £2950. The foundations had to be taken down to the depth of 12 feet. The church is built of brick and stone, and is in the Norman style, with two windows in each bay, whose heads are supported by shafts. The entrance door has Norman mouldings and shafts, and though with little ornament, is very good. The architect has shown some skill in overcoming the difficulties of his roof, which is in one span, and without a tie‑beam, stability being ensured by inserting concealed rods, which, passing along the timbers, retain the feet of the principals. The church will contain 1100 people. [The Civil Engineer and Architect's Journal. January 1842 Pages 27-28]

Schools in the Norman style are possibly also by Walters. The Builder noted: Near the Norman church built about four years ago, near Broughton Bridge, are some schools in the same style, and though we are not usually inclined to commend its adoption, we must allow that it has been rather effectively made use of.  The Builder 1845: Page 457)

Reference    Manchester Guardian 24 June 1841 page 1 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 8 September 1841 page 2 - foundation stone
Reference    The Civil Engineer and Architect's Journal. January 1842 Pages 27-28
Reference    Stranger’s Guide to Manchester 1851.
Reference    Axon- Annals of Manchester

(Note Pevsner incorrectly attributed the building to Weightman & Hadfield)