All Saints' Church, Urmston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids All Saints' Church
53°28′22″N 2°21′07″W / 53.472696°N 2.351898°W / 53.472696; -2.351898
Location	Urmston
Country	England
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Religious institute	Order of Friars Minor Conventual
Website	thegreyfriars.org/barton
History
Status	Active
Architecture
Architect(s)	E. W. Pugin
Style	Gothic Revival
Completed	June 1868
Construction cost	£25,000
Administration
Diocese	Salford

All Saints' Church is a famous Roman Catholic parish church located near Urmston in Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. A parish church serves the local community of a specific area, called a parish.

Built between 1867 and 1868, this beautiful church was designed by the architect E. W. Pugin. It was built in the Gothic Revival style, which means it was made to look like the grand, historic cathedrals from the Middle Ages. The church is so important that it is a Grade I listed building. This is the highest possible rating, meaning it is a building of exceptional interest and must be protected.

Many experts, including the famous historian Nikolaus Pevsner, believe All Saints' Church is one of Pugin's best designs. Pevsner called it "the masterpiece of [Pugin's] life, without any doubt." Since 1928, priests from a religious group called the Conventual Franciscans have taken care of the church.

A Church with a Rich History

Building a Masterpiece

The construction of All Saints' Church began in 1867. The project was paid for by a wealthy local landowner named Sir Humphrey de Trafford. He also hired the architect, E. W. Pugin, who was well-known for his church designs.

The church officially opened in June 1868. After it was built, priests from All Saints' helped start new churches in nearby towns like Irlam and Eccles to serve the growing Catholic population in the area.

Inside, the church is filled with amazing details. It has wooden benches called pews, beautiful stained-glass windows, and stone carvings of mythical creatures called gargoyles. The altar, where services are held, is made of carved stone. There is even a painting inside that shows the architect, E. W. Pugin, holding the plans for the church.

The Arrival of the Franciscans

In 1928, a group of Franciscan priests, known as the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, came to Manchester. They are a religious order within the Catholic Church that follows the teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi.

After working in other parts of Manchester for many years, the Conventual Franciscans were invited to All Saints' Church in 1962. They have been serving the church and its community ever since.

A Look Inside and Out

• 

  A view of the church from the side.

• 

  The back of the church building.

• 

  Looking from the back of the church towards the entrance.

• 

  Looking towards the main altar at the front of the church.

• 

  Beautiful stained glass in the doors of a special chapel.

• 

  Colorful tiles on the floor of the chapel.

• 

  This plaque marks the opening of the church in 1868.

• 

  Another view of the church's stunning interior.

• 

  A covered walkway connects the church to the priest's house.

• 

  A close-up of the detailed main altar.

• 

  The altar is the centerpiece of the church.

• 

  An artwork where the de Trafford family, who paid for the church, are shown in the bottom right corner.

See also

• Grade I listed churches in Greater Manchester
• List of churches in Greater Manchester
• List of churches in the Diocese of Salford
• Listed buildings in Urmston