St Paul’s Church Stalybridge. Enlargement

Stayley St. Paul ecclesiastical parish was formed out of Mottram in 1840 : the church of St. Paul is an elegant cruciform stone building of the Transition style between Early and Geometrical Gothic : it was erected in 1839 at a cost of £4,000 (to the designs of Richard Tattersall qv) and has been enlarged and restored from designs by W. H. Brakespear, esq. at a cost of over £5,000, and now consists of chancel, nave, aisles, north and south transepts (the latter yet incomplete), choir and organ chamber, with west and side galleries; the clerestory is pierced with trefoil lights and has a fine groined roof; the tower contains a clock and a good peal of 8 bells, which are rung by machinery ; the east window was presented by James Buckley, esq. in 1857, and represents in rich colours the Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension; the whole of the windows in the south aisle, consisting of five double lancets, are also stained. The organ has been enlarged and beautified and is now a fine instrument. The organ and vestry screens, lectern and pulpit are good specimens of carved Gothic work of a uniform character. (Directory)

STALYBRIDGE - It is proposed to enlarge St. Paul's Church, Stayley, Stalybridge, by the addition of 500 sittings, at a cost of £3,000: £1.000 have been subscribed by four gentlemen connected with the parish. The committee appointed by the parishioners to carry out the enlargement have approved and adopted plans submitted to them at their request by Mr. W. H. Brakspear, architect. Mr. Brakspear was a pupil of the late Sir Charles Barry, and is, perhaps, best known as having carried out the restoration of Bowdon parish church. [Builder 16 December 1871 page 992]

STALYBRIDGE - St Paul’s Church, Stalybridge is to be enlarged. It has present accommodation for 1,000, but as neither pews or sittings are to let, although there is active demand for both, it is proposed to give 500 additional sittings. The works which will cost about £3,000 are to be commenced forthwith. Mr W H Brakspear, Albert-square, Manchester, is the architect.

Reference    Building News 22 December 1871 Page 484
Reference    Builder 16 December 1871 Page 992