St. Michael and All Angels Church Brow Mottram-in-Longdendale Cheshire

At a preliminary meeting of the subscribers to the fund for restoring the church of Mottram, E H Shellard, (late of Manchester), was unanimously appointed the architect for the work. [Manchester Guardian 31 December 1853 page 9]. However, he was replaced by J E Gregan in early 1884. - Listing Text is incorrect in ascribing the work to Shellard

MOTTRAM PARISH CHURCH - Contractors willing to tender for certain ALTERATIONS in Mottram Parish Church, may see plans and specification at the office of J E GREGAN, architect, 20 Cooper Street, Manchester, who will give all information as to the time for the delivery of tenders etc. The churchwardens do not bind themselves to accept the lowest tender. Manchester June 23rd 1854. [Manchester Guardian 28 June 1854 page 1 - contracts]

MOTTRAM: REOPENING OF THE PARISH CHURCH - On Wednesday morning, this church, which has been closed for repairs during the last fourteen months, was opened for divine service by the Lord Bishop of Chester. ... In carrying out the repairs, the whole of the clerestory walls had to be taken down, leaving only the outside walls and tower left standing. The pillars supporting the clerestory were razed and sunk considerably lower, the foundations having been damaged by the sinking of vaults lower than the pillars, which are now built of an octagonal form, of polished stone, with moulded caps, from which spring Gothic arches to support the upper walls, the windows of which are glazed with tinted green glass. The roof is open to the ceiling, showing all the framework of the timbers, stained and varnished. An embattled parapet has been erected on the clerestory, to correspond with the other part of the church. The arrangement of the pews in the body is the same as before, but a side and back gallery have not been erected again, which gives the building a better appearance. ... Mr J E Gregan was the architect, and Messrs Eaton and Hollas, of Ashton-under-Lyne and Messrs Stokes Brothers, of Stalybridge were the contractors. The organ has been wholly rebuilt by Mr John Wheeldon of Granby Row, and it gives great satisfaction. (In his address, the bishop also expressed the hope that the chancel and side aisles would also be repaired} [Manchester Guardian 26 June 1856 page 4]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 31 December 1853 page 9
Reference    Manchester Courier 24 June 1854 page 8 – Gregan plans adopted
Reference    Manchester Guardian 24 June 1854 page 10 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 28 June 1854 page 1 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian: 20 January 1855 Page 11. 27 January 1855 Page 3 (Contracts)
Reference    Manchester Guardian 6 September 1855 page 4
Reference    Manchester Guardian 26 June 1856 page 4 - re-opening