Building Name

St Michael's Church. Lavender Street Hulme

Date
1862 - 1864
Street
Lavender Street
District/Town
Hulme, Manchester
County/Country
GMCA, England
Work
New Build
Contractor
Joseph Thompson

CONSECRATION OF ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, HULME. On Saturday afternoon the Lord Bishop of the diocese consecrated new church, dedicated to St. Michael, built in Lavender-street, Hulme, chiefly the expense of Mr. T. H. Birley.  The church stands, with its parsonage, on a site—the only available one in the district—about 33 yards east to west and yards north to south. To prevent any loss of this somewhat confined space, the church is brought close up to the south and east, and the parsonage to the north and west boundaries'. The buttresses of the church, too, are placed internally. Between the church and parsonage is a courtyard, which secures south aspect and privacy for those rooms of the parsonage which will be chiefly occupied. A covered passage, which also serves as a porch and waiting-room, communicates directly between the study and the vestry. The main entrances to the church are under the tower at the south-west corner, and by the north-west porch, which is approached through a gabled archway, and a wide open arcaded passage. The general outline of the plan of the church is simple rectangle, from which the only projections are the north porch and the octagonal baptistery adjoining. Still the several parts of the church are well defined, and there is not wanting a considerable amount of picturesque effect, no less in the internal perspective than in the exterior. The plan consists of a nave—the unusual breadth of which was demanded by the exigencies of the site, as well as desired by the founder—north and south aisles and chancel, with double chancel aisles north md south, the latter being seated for the congregation the former screened off for organ chamber and for vestries for the clergy and choristers. The positions of the tower, porch, and baptistery are stated above. The style architecture is early "pointed" or gothic; and attempt has been made to work out a design specially suited to the material (chiefly brick) that has been employed. The architect has, therefore, not in this case merely repeated stereotyped English mediaeval form, but has allowed himself a certain eclectic independence in the treatment throughout. Thus, there are incorporated with the English architecture many ideas borrowed from the French and Italian gothic. Polychromatic construction has been carried out as far as circumstances would allow. From the south-east the chancel is seen rising well above its aisles, which are roofed each into two gables, transversely to the main roof. The sill of the east chancel window is placed at considerable height above the ground line, partly on account of the dignity it fives to the east end, both within and without; partly for the sake of the greater pleasantness of the light coming from such elevation; and partly to secure a good wall space for the credos. Beyond is seen the south aisle, whose wall is pierced with five couplets of trefoil-headed windows; the two lights of each pair being divided by a stone shaft of a soft grey colour, with moulded caps, base, and band of white stone. Over these windows runs a cornice of moulded brick. The clerestory wall consists of a series of gables, each pierced with alternate windows. These gables, besides giving a liveliness to this part of the design, have the effect of masking the unwonted breath of the nave roof. At the end of the north aisle stands the steeple, engaged on its north and east sides. The neighbouring chimneys forbad a spire of the ordinary type to be put into competition with them, and besides the number of spires in Hulme made it desirable that as much individuality as possible should be given to this. In form the tower is square and un-buttressed and rises to the belfry stage without even set off. The one of its general colour is modified by bands of dark brick at intervals, and narrow windows pierce each face about the middle of its height. Each side of the belfry stage contains a two-lighted window, with shafted nonial, and is filled in with bold slate louvres. The brickwork of the tower finished with a projecting corbel table of brick, from which springs fourided slate spire, with the same number of dormers. The whole is surmounted by a metal vane. The chief entrance to the church is by the tower door, which is square-headed, having over it a pointed arch of three orders in brick. In the tympanum is carved l figure of our Lord within a vesica, and in the spandrels angels adoring. This sculpture, well the internal carving, is the work of Mr. J. Bonehill. From the north-west is obtained a more confined, but yet, perhaps, a more picturesque view of the church. The west gable contains circular window, 15 feet in diameter, consisting of nine foiled circles. Under it are three single lights. Adjoining the north porch is the baptistery, covered with a high pitched octagonal roof, on the apex of which is a cross, bearing dove. A six feet wall runs from the north gateway to the parsonage, which completes the group of buildings at the north-east corner. Internally, the dignity obtained by the great breadth of the nave is at once perceived. Warmth of effect is given by the red and white bricks arranged in simple patterns in the arches and elsewhere. The shafts, too, sustaining the arches are of red Mansfield stone; and in the case of the chancel arch, polished red Devon marble. The rest of the internal stonework is from Bath and Ancaster. The walls will be of a yellowish tone, so as to harmonise with the bricks, and keep up the general effect of warmth. The chancel arch is bold and dignified, and is formed of several concentric rings of moulded and serrated red bricks, relieved with white brick and stone. The inner order is carried on shafted corbels, the caps of which are carved with the passion flower, and below either base is an angel-that on the north bearing the legend, " O, ye children of men, bless ye the Lord ; and that on the south, "Praise Him, and magnify Him for ever." The chancel is of two bays, the central pillar carrying the arches is richly carved and moulded, and the caps of the responds against the east wall are also carved with emblematical foliage. The glass in the great east window is by Heaton, Butler, and Bayne, and is deserving of all praise. It represents the great facts of Christianity. In the left light are the Annunciation and the Nativity. In the right the Resurrection and the Ascension, while the three centre lights are occupied with portrayal of our Lord's passion. The feeling, as well as the artistic power shown in this window, is very great. The chancel floor is well raised above the nave and the sanctuary is two steps more. On the south side of the sanctuary are canopied Sedilia, and on the north the credence. The rails are low and open. The pavement of the whole of the chancel is with Maw's encaustic tiling. On each side of the chancel are stalls, with subsellse for the choristers, and at their western end, prayer-desks for the clergy. There is, of course, a central passage up the nave and two other passages in the aisles. The pulpit is circular on plan. The body of it is borne on ten pillars of red stone. The upper part arcaded, with shafts of Devon marble, and foliated capitals. The spaces within the arches are diapered, and contain circular medallions, carved with sacred symbols; richly carved cornice is above the arcade; and above this again runs the inscription—" I have a message from God unto thee." The baptistery windows, four in number are filled with stained glass, also by the artists named above. The subjects are—Christ blessing little children; Philip and the eunuch; the Jailor; and Cornelius. The font is a large circular bowl, surrounded columns of Spanish marble, and finished with foliated capitals. Angels carved on the corbels of the inner arch, bear scrolls, with the words from the Baptismal Service, "Delivered from wrath;" "Received into the ark of Christ's Church." In the pavement under the arch is the legend—" An outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace." The tiling in the baptistery also from Maw's works. In the nave and aisle the tiles are from Broseley, and are laid in patterns, by the contractor. A bell of between 13 and 14 cwt. has just arrived from Messrs. Taylor, of Loughborough. Several matters of decoration yet remain to be done, the reredos, colouring, mural decoration, and some other work that will aid giving an air of completeness to the building. The works have been carried out by Mr. Joseph Thompson, the general contractor, under the superintendence of the architect, Mr. J. Medland Taylor, of St. Ann's Churchyard, Manchester. [Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser  Monday 16 May 1864 page 3]

Reference    Builder 27 December 1862 Page 934
Reference    Building News 13 March 1863 page 208
Reference    Builder 21 March 1863 page 210
Reference    Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 16 May 1864 page 3
Reference    Builder 18 June 1864 Page 459