The Catholic Apostolic Church Stretford New Road Hulme Manchester

MANCHESTER - The Catholic Apostolic Church, Stretford New-road, which has been rebuilt and enlarged, was opened on Sunday last. It occupies the whole of the site, on a portion of which stood the former church, and has a frontage of 36 feet to the Stretford-road, and a depth of 100 feet. The arches to clerestory of nave are supported on columns of red Mansfield stone, with Bath stone caps and bases. The roof of nave and chancel are continuous, giving length and height to the building, the chancel roof being distinguished from that of nave by trusses, supported on carved corbels, with columns of red Mansfield stone. There are also similar columns to the coupled windows of clerestory. The building will accommodate 380 persons, and has been erected in the Early Gothic style of architecture, from the designs of Mr O. Ayliffe, architect, King-street, by Messrs Ellis and Hinchliffe, who were the general contractors. [Building News 6 September 1867 page 618]

RE-OPENING OF THE CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC CHURCH, STRETFORD ROAD – This building, which has been rebuilt and enlarged, was opened on Sunday It occupies the whole of the site, on a portion of which stood the former church, and has a frontage of 36 feet to Stretford Road, and a depth of 100 feet, the whole of which is appropriated to the church, a cottage to the rear having been adapted for vestries. The materials of the old building have been re-used as far as serviceable. The principal entrance is by a central doorway in Stretford Road. There is a nave with side aisles, lower choir, with provision for future organ chamber and chancel, with upper choir and sanctuary, and chancel aisles. The arches to clerestory of nave are supported on columns of red Mansfield stone, with Bath stone caps and bases. The roof of nave and chancel are continuous, giving length and height to the building, the chancel roof being distinguished from that of nave by trusses, supported on carved corbels, with columns of red Mansfield stone. There are also similar columns to the coupled windows of clerestory.  The west window is of four lights, and the large east window of five lights, the upper portions filled with tracery. The internal fittings are temporary, and the old stalls have been re-fixed in the chancel. There will be a screen to the arches on either side of the chancel. The building will accommodate 380 persons, and has been erected in the Early Gothic style of architecture, from the designs of Mr O. Ayliffe, architect, King-street, by Messrs Ellis and Hinchliffe, who were the general contractors. [Manchester Guardian 3 September 1867 page 5]

The Irvingite or Catholic Apostolic Church, erected some thirty years ago in the Stretford Road, has disappeared, and in its stead a lofty church has been built, with nave, narrow nave aisles, and chancel, occupying the entire original frontage. The interior is simple and effective, as is usual in the case of churches whose sole sidelight is from a clerestory. The external details are not so good, but coarse and ungainly. The first built diminutive edifice was, we believe, the work of an amateur, and, considering the period of its erection, singularly pure in detail. [Building News 28 January 1870 page 68-69]

Reference    Building News  6 September 1867 page 618
Reference    Manchester Guardian 3 September 1867 page 5
Reference    Building News 28 January 1870 page 68-69]