St Stephen's Church City Road Hulme Manchester

Built almost entirely at the expense of Hugh, Herbert and Arthur Birley (who also financed the building of schools and parsonage).. Sittings for 676, of which 476 were free. By the end of the Victorian period this was perhaps the poorest district of Hulme.

This new church, the foundation stone of which was laid in August 1868 by the Earl of Ellesmere, was consecrated on Saturday by the Bishop of Manchester. ..... The church will seat about 700 persons; and about 500 sittings will be free.  The eastern elevation of the church comprises a lofty chancel gable, rising upwards of  60 feet from the level of the street, and containing an unusually large brick and stone window, about 30 feet high and 15 feet wide. Below this window is a brick arcade. On each side of the principal gable are the two gables of the chancel aisles; that to the north having two stories of windows. In the north aisle each bay is gabled transversely,  each gable having  a three-light window, with moulded brick and stone tracery. The clerestory is seen above the aisle roof. It is somewhat higher than usual, partly to obtain the loftiness which is so desirable in a town church and partly for the sake of light, there being no opportunity of getting windows in the south aisle. This main west gable is pierced by two three-light brick windows, with a rose of stone tracery, about 8 feet in diameter above them. Over the chancel arch is a lead-covered and crocketed belfry, nearly 90 feet high. The finial of the turret bears a crown (the etymological symbol of St Stephen) and this symbol appears in several other places about the church. Beneath the east window facing City-road is the inscription in Minton tiles AIn this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of Hosts.@ Although the outline of the building is kept as simple as possible, the details are so varied that it would be difficult for anyone, without actual inspection, to form an idea of what is to be seen in and about the church. A great effect of spaciousness is given to it by the nave and chancel being of equal width, namely nine yards. The nave arcade is carried across the western end, the arches being supported upon Portland stone piers, with marble shafts clustered around them. The two pillars sustaining the chancel arch are moulded and their shafts are entirely of marble. The capitals of the columns are carved with foliage, with the exception of the central west capital, on which are carved the heads of the Queen and the Bishop of the diocese. The chancel, being of unusual width, has three rows of stalls on each side, and a low screen at the entrance. The Bible lectern is on the south and the pulpit on the north side. The pulpit, which has a circular base of York stone, is elaborately carved and traceried; and has arcading and moulded panels on each face of the upper part. It is further enriched with light and dark alabaster and marble shafts. The arches of the north and south chancel aisles are fitted with ornamental wooden screens. The east window is filled with scriptural subjects in stained glass by Messrs Heaton Butler and Bayne. The central subject is the Ascension, and subordinate to this are several incidents from the life of St Stephen. The wall space below the east window is covered with panels of diapered plaster work in relief.  In the centre above the Lord’s table, is a cross formed of light and dark alabaster. Below the great west window is a medallion, sculptured by Mr W Green, representing the martyrdom of St Stephen. There are to be four other medallions, with scenes from the life of the martyr, in the triangular spandrels of the nave arches. It is intended also shortly to decorate the church to a moderate extent with colour. The architects are Messrs Medland and Henry Taylor, and the contractors Messrs Ellis and Hinchliffe. [Manchester Guardian 20 December 1869 page 3]

HULME (Manchester) The Church of St Stephen, City Road, Manchester, has been consecrated. St Stephen’s, the foundation stone of which was laid in August 1868 by the Earl of Ellesmere, is seated to accommodate 750 persons, and has cost about ,5,000. The ground-plan of the church is oblong in shape, rather wider at the eastern than the western end, by reason of the shape of the site. The north-east (or what would be the north-east if the building orientated correctly) is the principal external view. The eastern elevation comprises a lofty chancel gable, rising more than 60 feet from the level of the street, and containing a brick and stone window, about 30 feet high and 15 feet wide. Below this window is a brick arcade. The lower part of the wall is banded with coloured brick. On each side of the principal one are the two gables to the chancel aisles; that to the north having two stories of windows; the choir vestry being upstairs. In the north aisle each bay is gabled transversely, and in each is a three-light window, with moulded brick and stone tracery. The clerestory is seen above the aisle roofs. The upper part of the west end is set back 6 yards, and carried on arches; so that while all the available space is reserved for sittings, the main west gable may not too closely overhang the school adjoining the church. This main west gable is pierced by two three-light brick windows, with a rose of stone tracery above, about 8 feet in diameter. The distance from east to west being short for a church of this size, the nave and chancel roofs are kept at the same height, and over the chancel arch is a lead-covered and crocketed belfry, rising nearly 90 feet from the pavement and containing a bell by Mears. The exterior of the building is mainly of brick; some of the bricks are moulded and some used in diapers and arcades. All the gables eaves and cornices are brick, stone being used only for the tracery of windows, and where it is constructionally required. Underneath the large east window facing City-road is the inscription in Minton tiles AIn this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of Hosts.@ The principal entrance door is deeply moulded in brick, with stone imposts. The lower part, being liable to injury is plainly bevelled only. Besides this door on the north, there are for exit two others, one at the east and another at the west end. The chancel fittings are of pitch pine and walnut. The arches of the north and south chancel aisles are filled with ornamental wooded screens, with tracery in the upper, and panels and balusters in the lower part. The east window is the work of Messrs Heaton, Butler, and Bayne. The central subject is the Ascension, and subordinate to this are several incidents from the life of St Stephen. The wall space below the east window is covered with panels of diapered plaster work in relief. In the centre above the Lord’s table, is a cross formed of light and dark alabaster. Immediately over the table is the inscription AThe Word was made flesh.@ The chancel is lighted at night by rows of gas jets on the tops of the wooden screens; the nave and aisles by coronae hung from the apex above each arch. These fittings are by Messrs Thomason & Company of Birmingham. The glazing generally, (which is by Messrs Edmundson )is in simple tinted quarries, with slightly ornamental work in the tracery etc. The blank wall of the south aisle- which, owing to the proximity of adjoining buildings, has no windows - is to be relieved by panels containing the Beatitudes. The gallery is in a recess at the west end so as not to intrude into the church. The nave arcade runs round in front of this gallery. Below the great west window is a medallion, sculptured by Mr W Green, representing the martyrdom of St Stephen. There are to be four other medallions, with lessons from the life of St Stephen, in the triangular spandrels of the nave arches. It is intended shortly to decorate the church to a moderate extent with colour. The heating apparatus is by Messrs Haden. Besides the sub-contractors under Messrs Ellis and Hinchliffe, P Hodkinson, and W Clark, there have been thirteen or fourteen different tradesmen employed on the work.. This church completes Mr Birley’s work in this district - he having previously built the schools, parsonage, and schoolmaster’s house. The architects were Messrs Medland and Henry Taylor, of Manchester. [Builder 8 January 1870 Page 34].

MANCHESTER. - On the 18th ult. the late Bishop of Manchester consecrated the new Church of S. Stephen, City‑road, Manchester. The ground plan of the church is oblong in shape, rather wider at the eastern than at the western end, by reason of the shape of the site. The north-east, or what would be the north‑east if the building was oriented correctly, is the principal external view. The church is seated to accommodate 700 persons, and has cost about £5,000. Messrs Ellis and Hinohcliffe were the contractors; Messrs Thomson and Company of Birmingham, supplied the gas fittings; the glazing is by Messrs Edmundson; the heating apparatus by Haden; the east window is filled with stained glass by Heaton, Butler, and Bayne ; and the sculptured medallion below the west window is by Mr Green. Messrs Medland and Henry Taylor, of Manchester, were the architects.[Building News 7 January 1870 page 18].

Reference    Manchester Guardian 20 December 1869 page 3 – consecration
Reference    The Architect 25 December 1869 page 312
Reference    Builder 8 January 1870 Page 34
Reference    Building News 7 January 1870 page 18
Reference    Manchester City News, 4 October 1890
Reference    Pevsner: Lancashire: South