St Chrysostom's Church
Encyclopedia
Saint Chrysostom's Church is the Church of England (Anglican) parish church of Victoria Park
, Manchester
, England. The patron saint of the church is St John Chrysostom and the church belongs to the Anglo-Catholic
tradition. St Chrysostom's, Manchester is one of three churches dedicated in honour of St John Chrysostom in the Church of England. The Church is in the Deanery of Ardwick within the Archdeaconry of Manchester, the Diocese of Manchester
and Province of York
.
, Longsight
and all Victoria Park. St Mary's Hospital
, Victoria Baths
, the Chinese Consulate, Longsight Market, and a large part of the Curry Mile
are all in the parish.
Historically the area known as Victoria Park was from 1850 included in the parish of St James, Birch, and remained so until 1878, when the new parish of St John Chrysostom was created from parts of the parish of St James and other parishes.
In 1836, a unique enterprise was undertaken by Richard Lane and Partners, architects. This was to establish a residential area to the east of Wilmslow Road, an "estate" of substantial houses in spacious grounds, where prosperous business and professional families could live. Lane was already noted for his public work in the neo-classical style, for example his Town Hall building at Chorlton on Medlock. The facade of this building remains on the Manchester Metropolitan University
All Saints Campus and now forms part of the Mabel Tylecote Building
.
By 1850 about 50 houses by various architects had been built. Victoria Park still contains examples of work by several famous architects including Alfred Waterhouse
(Xaverian College
); George T. Redmayne (Dalton Hall
and St Chrysostom's); Edward Salomons
(Hirstwood) and Edgar Wood (Church of Christ Scientist
).
The Park attracted well known people during the 19th century including Richard Cobden
, MP., George Hadfield, MP., Sir Charles Hallé
, Ford Madox Brown
, the Pankhurst
family and Sir Arthur Roscoe, uncle of Beatrix Potter
.
A church was included in the line drawings issued by Lane in 1836. The building was started in the 1840s but was abandoned because the Victoria Park Company went bankrupt.
The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester, Bishop James Fraser on the 13 October 1877.
The church was internally destroyed by fire during the evening of 1 October 1904. The installation of electricity in the church was blamed as the cause for the fire, but this was never proved. Rebuilding commenced almost immediately under the guidance of the architect John Ely. The work was done according to Redmayne's original plans, with only some small variations.
During the rebuilding the congregation of St Chrysostom's met in an "iron church" located on the corner of Upper Brook Street and Daisy Bank Road.
Consequently, what is seen today, both outside and inside is the rebuilt church of 1906 with very little alteration. The building is Grade II listed.
Although the area which the church serves has changed considerably since the foundation of St Chrysostom's the church itself has changed very little. It remains significant and prominent in the landscape and life of the area, and it commands a strong and notable position in the Victoria Park Conservation Area.
, and have been influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite style. The windows in the nave and chancel have a uniform style, which adds a distinct character to the church. The pale elaborate canopies, detailed paintwork, dark robes and magnificent rich colours are characteristic of their work. Many of the windows depict saints of the British Isles, or great teachers of the Church, such as St Augustine, St Ambrose, St Paulinus, St Hilda, the Venerable Bede, St Patrick. John Keble
, and Edward Pusey, heroes of the Anglo Catholic movement are honoured with their own windows. In the Chancel doctors of the Latin and Greek Church are honoured, including, Ambrose, Chrysostom, Athanasius and Augustine.
The windows have much detail in them - including heraldic devices, mongrams, and, in War Memorial windows,reproduction of photographs. The saints' windows frequently have appropriate symbols, and the saints often have near them simple text bearing scrolls. The window of St John Chrysostom in the Chancel is noteworthy - the patron saint is depicted holding a model of the Church. Some of the windows in the Anson Chapel are the work of the local Manchester Artist Walter Pearce. These windows represent a later period than the Burlison and Grylls windows and have a distinctive use of colour. One window commemorates several of the major campaigns of the First World War. There is also a beautiful round stained glass window depicting Angels in a rich art deco style.
The Memorial was completed in 1923 and was unveiled and dedicated on Sunday May 13th. At 11am the Dean of Manchester preached, and the memorial was unveiled by Lieut-Colonel G. B. Hurst K.C., M.P. At 3.15pm a ‘Special Masonic Service’ was held, conducted by the Archdeacon of Manchester and Rev. A. F. Aldis.
Two years later two additional windows, on the south and west walls were placed in the Anson chapel. They were the gift of J. S. Williamson, and are the work of the Manchester stained glass window designer Walter J. Pearce. Their design complements the War Memorial. They were dedicated on November 15th 1925 by Revd Geoffrey Harold Woolley
, V. C., M.C. and unveiled by Col. Sir Thomas Blatherwick, D.S.O. of the 6th Battalion, the Manchester Regiment.
Following the Second World War it was decided to incorporate the names of those who died in that war in two panels on either side of the existing five panels of the war memorial.
, Roland Harry William Roberts, William Preston, Robert Eric Charles Browne
, Charles Challen, James Wardle Harpur, Ian Deighton Corbett, and Michael James Gervase Melrose. The current Rector is Fr Ian Gomersall.
The Organ is the work of William Hill & Son and, as might be expected of this builder, is built to the highest standards. It is used as the main accompaniment to worship, as well as for recitals and other concert use.
In 2006 the instrument was awarded a Historic Organ Certificate Grade II* by the British Institute of Organ Studies.
Since 1906, three alterations have been made:
• The hitch-down swell pedal was replaced by a balanced pedal
• A Tremulant was added to the Swell Organ
• A Watkins and Watson 'Discus' blower and humidifier were installed (c. 1958)
It is an instrument of exceptional quality, substantially unaltered from the 1906 specification in both action and tone.
On the down side, the Choir organ suffered rain-water damage in 1998 (the roof has, of course, been repaired) and has not been playable since. Furthermore, the instrument now being 100 years old, is showing signs of general wear to the extent that a major conservative restoration is required.
Victoria Park, Manchester
Victoria Park is an suburban area of Manchester, England. Victoria Park lies approximately 3 kilometres south of Manchester city centre, between Rusholme and Longsight.It is east of Wilmslow Road and west of Anson Road.-History and description:...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England. The patron saint of the church is St John Chrysostom and the church belongs to the Anglo-Catholic
Anglo-Catholicism
The terms Anglo-Catholic and Anglo-Catholicism describe people, beliefs and practices within Anglicanism that affirm the Catholic, rather than Protestant, heritage and identity of the Anglican churches....
tradition. St Chrysostom's, Manchester is one of three churches dedicated in honour of St John Chrysostom in the Church of England. The Church is in the Deanery of Ardwick within the Archdeaconry of Manchester, the Diocese of Manchester
Anglican Diocese of Manchester
The Diocese of Manchester is a Church of England diocese in the Province of York, England. Based in the city of Manchester, the diocese covers much of the county of Greater Manchester and small areas of the counties of Lancashire and Cheshire.-History:...
and Province of York
Province of York
The Province of York is one of two ecclesiastical provinces making up the Church of England, and consists of 14 dioceses which cover the northern third of England and the Isle of Man. York was elevated to an Archbishopric in 735 AD: Ecgbert of York was the first archbishop...
.
The Parish
The geographical area, the parish, which St Chrysostom’s Church serves, extends from Dickenson Road in the south, to Plymouth Grove in the north, from Wilmslow Road (west) to Stockport Road (east), and includes large areas of RusholmeRusholme
-Etymology:Rusholme, unlike other areas of Manchester which have '-holme' in the place name is not a true '-holme'. Its name came from ryscum, which is the dative plural of Old English rysc "rush": "[at the] rushes"...
, Longsight
Longsight
Longsight is an area of Manchester, England, about south of the city centre. Its population is about 16,000.-History:Longsight has been known over the past for its gang related violence, similar to that of nearby Moss Side. Most of the violence came from tensions between 2 gangs; The Longsight...
and all Victoria Park. St Mary's Hospital
St Mary's Hospital, Manchester
St Mary's Hospital is a hospital in Manchester, England. It is part of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It was founded in 1790. St Mary's provides a unique range of inter-related services specifically for women and children...
, Victoria Baths
Victoria Baths
Victoria Baths is a Grade II* listed building, situated in the Chorlton-upon-Medlock area of Manchester, in northwest England. The building is currently on English Heritage's Buildings at Risk Register....
, the Chinese Consulate, Longsight Market, and a large part of the Curry Mile
Curry Mile
The Curry Mile is a nickname for the part of Wilmslow Road running through the centre of Rusholme in south Manchester, England. The name is earned from the large number of restaurants, take-aways and kebab houses specialising in the cuisines of South Asia and the Middle East, thought to be the...
are all in the parish.
Historically the area known as Victoria Park was from 1850 included in the parish of St James, Birch, and remained so until 1878, when the new parish of St John Chrysostom was created from parts of the parish of St James and other parishes.
In 1836, a unique enterprise was undertaken by Richard Lane and Partners, architects. This was to establish a residential area to the east of Wilmslow Road, an "estate" of substantial houses in spacious grounds, where prosperous business and professional families could live. Lane was already noted for his public work in the neo-classical style, for example his Town Hall building at Chorlton on Medlock. The facade of this building remains on the Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University is a university in North West England. Its headquarters and central campus is in the city of Manchester, but there are outlying facilities in the county of Cheshire. It is the third largest university in the United Kingdom in terms of student numbers, behind the...
All Saints Campus and now forms part of the Mabel Tylecote Building
Mabel Tylecote
Dame Dr Mabel Tylecote, née Phythian, DBE was a British Labour Party politician, activist and adult educationist from Manchester, England....
.
By 1850 about 50 houses by various architects had been built. Victoria Park still contains examples of work by several famous architects including Alfred Waterhouse
Alfred Waterhouse
Alfred Waterhouse was a British architect, particularly associated with the Victorian Gothic Revival architecture. He is perhaps best known for his design for the Natural History Museum in London, and Manchester Town Hall, although he also built a wide variety of other buildings throughout the...
(Xaverian College
Xaverian College
Xaverian Roman Catholic Sixth form College is a College in the city of Manchester.-Admissions:It lies in the inner city suburb of Rusholme close to Wilmslow Road and Oxford Road...
); George T. Redmayne (Dalton Hall
Dalton Hall
Dalton Hall might refer to:* Dalton-Ellis Hall, Manchester, England. A hall of residence at the University of Manchester, formerly known as Dalton Hall.* Dalton Hall , Beverley, East Yorkshire, England.* Dalton Hall , Cumbria, England....
and St Chrysostom's); Edward Salomons
Edward Salomons
Edward Salomons was an Anglo-Jewish architect based in Manchester, working in the late 19th century. He is noted for his architecture in various Gothic Revival and Italianate styles....
(Hirstwood) and Edgar Wood (Church of Christ Scientist
Edgar Wood Centre
The Edgar Wood Centre is a former Church of Christ, Scientist building in Fallowfield, Manchester, England. Pevsner considered it "the only religious building in Lancashire that would be indispensable in a survey of twentieth century church design in all England." It is a Grade I listed...
).
The Park attracted well known people during the 19th century including Richard Cobden
Richard Cobden
Richard Cobden was a British manufacturer and Radical and Liberal statesman, associated with John Bright in the formation of the Anti-Corn Law League as well as with the Cobden-Chevalier Treaty...
, MP., George Hadfield, MP., Sir Charles Hallé
Charles Hallé
Sir Charles Hallé was an Anglo-German pianist and conductor, and founder of The Hallé orchestra in 1858.-Life:Hallé was born in Hagen, Westphalia, Germany who after settling in England changed his name from Karl Halle...
, Ford Madox Brown
Ford Madox Brown
Ford Madox Brown was an English painter of moral and historical subjects, notable for his distinctively graphic and often Hogarthian version of the Pre-Raphaelite style. Arguably, his most notable painting was Work...
, the Pankhurst
Richard Pankhurst
Richard Marsden Pankhurst was an English barrister and supporter of women's rights.Pankhurst was the son of Henry Francis Pankhurst and Margaret Marsden . He was born in Stoke but spent most of his life in Manchester and London. He was educated at Manchester Grammar School and Owens College of...
family and Sir Arthur Roscoe, uncle of Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter
Helen Beatrix Potter was an English author, illustrator, natural scientist and conservationist best known for her imaginative children’s books featuring animals such as those in The Tale of Peter Rabbit which celebrated the British landscape and country life.Born into a privileged Unitarian...
.
A church was included in the line drawings issued by Lane in 1836. The building was started in the 1840s but was abandoned because the Victoria Park Company went bankrupt.
The Church Building
The building in the early English style was built to the design of George Tunstall Redmayne between 1874 and 1876 at a cost of £13,000.The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester, Bishop James Fraser on the 13 October 1877.
The church was internally destroyed by fire during the evening of 1 October 1904. The installation of electricity in the church was blamed as the cause for the fire, but this was never proved. Rebuilding commenced almost immediately under the guidance of the architect John Ely. The work was done according to Redmayne's original plans, with only some small variations.
During the rebuilding the congregation of St Chrysostom's met in an "iron church" located on the corner of Upper Brook Street and Daisy Bank Road.
Consequently, what is seen today, both outside and inside is the rebuilt church of 1906 with very little alteration. The building is Grade II listed.
Although the area which the church serves has changed considerably since the foundation of St Chrysostom's the church itself has changed very little. It remains significant and prominent in the landscape and life of the area, and it commands a strong and notable position in the Victoria Park Conservation Area.
Stained Glass
Most of the windows are the work of the stained glass artists Burlison and GryllsBurlison and Grylls
Burlison and Grylls is the name of an English company who produced stained glass windows from 1868 onwards.The company of Burlison and Grylls was founded in 1868 at the instigation of the architects George Frederick Bodley and Thomas Garner. Both John Burlison and Thomas Grylls had trained in the...
, and have been influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite style. The windows in the nave and chancel have a uniform style, which adds a distinct character to the church. The pale elaborate canopies, detailed paintwork, dark robes and magnificent rich colours are characteristic of their work. Many of the windows depict saints of the British Isles, or great teachers of the Church, such as St Augustine, St Ambrose, St Paulinus, St Hilda, the Venerable Bede, St Patrick. John Keble
John Keble
John Keble was an English churchman and poet, one of the leaders of the Oxford Movement, and gave his name to Keble College, Oxford.-Early life:...
, and Edward Pusey, heroes of the Anglo Catholic movement are honoured with their own windows. In the Chancel doctors of the Latin and Greek Church are honoured, including, Ambrose, Chrysostom, Athanasius and Augustine.
The windows have much detail in them - including heraldic devices, mongrams, and, in War Memorial windows,reproduction of photographs. The saints' windows frequently have appropriate symbols, and the saints often have near them simple text bearing scrolls. The window of St John Chrysostom in the Chancel is noteworthy - the patron saint is depicted holding a model of the Church. Some of the windows in the Anson Chapel are the work of the local Manchester Artist Walter Pearce. These windows represent a later period than the Burlison and Grylls windows and have a distinctive use of colour. One window commemorates several of the major campaigns of the First World War. There is also a beautiful round stained glass window depicting Angels in a rich art deco style.
Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross are a later addition to the fabric of the Church. They are a particularly fine set and are the work of Ian Howgate c.1938. Howgate worked with the Faith Craft studio of the Anglo Catholic Society of the Faith. A similar set is found in Christ Church, Isle of Dogs, London.War Memorial
The War Memorial consists of wooden panelling in the Anson Chapel of St Chrysostom's, and was made by George Macfarlane and Sons of Manchester, to the design of P A Robson, architect of Manchester and London. The plaques were the work of Miss E Attwood. A granite slab was placed outside the main West door of the church ‘in order that adequate indication of the Memorial might be made.’The Memorial was completed in 1923 and was unveiled and dedicated on Sunday May 13th. At 11am the Dean of Manchester preached, and the memorial was unveiled by Lieut-Colonel G. B. Hurst K.C., M.P. At 3.15pm a ‘Special Masonic Service’ was held, conducted by the Archdeacon of Manchester and Rev. A. F. Aldis.
Two years later two additional windows, on the south and west walls were placed in the Anson chapel. They were the gift of J. S. Williamson, and are the work of the Manchester stained glass window designer Walter J. Pearce. Their design complements the War Memorial. They were dedicated on November 15th 1925 by Revd Geoffrey Harold Woolley
Geoffrey Harold Woolley
Geoffrey Harold Woolley VC OBE MC was the first Territorial Army officer to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.Woolley was the son of a clergyman, Rev...
, V. C., M.C. and unveiled by Col. Sir Thomas Blatherwick, D.S.O. of the 6th Battalion, the Manchester Regiment.
Following the Second World War it was decided to incorporate the names of those who died in that war in two panels on either side of the existing five panels of the war memorial.
The Clergy
The first priest to serve St Chrysostom's as Rector was Revd William Marsden. Fr Marsden had been curate to Archdeacon Anson, Vicar of St James, Birch, from which parish St Chrysostom's was principally formed. Anson was a leading tractarian priest in Manchester at the time, and no doubt his influence helped form the tradition which was to develop at St Chrysostom's. Marsden was the longest serving Rector of St Chrysostom's. He was appointed in 1877 and died in 1899. The list of successive Rectors is as follows, John Bernhard Steinlen Barratt, Clive Robertson Pattison Muir, Benjamin PollardBenjamin Pollard
Benjamin Pollard TD was an Anglican bishop.Pollard and educated at Manchester Grammar School and the Victoria University of Manchester. He was ordained in 1914 and was a chaplain during World War I with the British Armed Forces. After this he became the Precentor of Sheffield Cathedral and then...
, Roland Harry William Roberts, William Preston, Robert Eric Charles Browne
Robert Eric Charles Browne
Robert Eric Charles Browne was a distinguished Church of England clergyman and religious writer.-Career:Browne was born in Northern Ireland and studied at Trinity College, Dublin. He obtained a B.A. degree from Trinity in 1928 and an M.A. in 1938...
, Charles Challen, James Wardle Harpur, Ian Deighton Corbett, and Michael James Gervase Melrose. The current Rector is Fr Ian Gomersall.
The Organ
The Organ was built in 1906, the original organ having been lost in the fire of 1904. It occupies a chamber on the North side of the choir, and sports a front comprising the larger pipes of the Great Open Diapason stops. The console is immediately below this front, behind the choir-stalls.The Organ is the work of William Hill & Son and, as might be expected of this builder, is built to the highest standards. It is used as the main accompaniment to worship, as well as for recitals and other concert use.
In 2006 the instrument was awarded a Historic Organ Certificate Grade II* by the British Institute of Organ Studies.
Since 1906, three alterations have been made:
• The hitch-down swell pedal was replaced by a balanced pedal
• A Tremulant was added to the Swell Organ
• A Watkins and Watson 'Discus' blower and humidifier were installed (c. 1958)
It is an instrument of exceptional quality, substantially unaltered from the 1906 specification in both action and tone.
On the down side, the Choir organ suffered rain-water damage in 1998 (the roof has, of course, been repaired) and has not been playable since. Furthermore, the instrument now being 100 years old, is showing signs of general wear to the extent that a major conservative restoration is required.