Church of St Cross, Clayton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Church of St Cross, Clayton |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Tradition | Modern Catholic |
| History | |
| Dedication | Holy Cross |
| Consecrated | 1874 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | William Butterfield |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1863–1866 |
| Administration | |
| Benefice | Clayton St Cross with St Paul |
| Deanery | Manchester North and East |
| Archdeaconry | Manchester |
| Diocese | Manchester |
The Church of St Cross is a historic church located in Clayton, Manchester, England. It was designed by a famous architect named William Butterfield. The church was built between 1863 and 1866. It is known for its special Victorian style. In 1963, it was recognized as a grade II* listed building, which means it's a very important historical building.
Contents
History of the Church
The land where the Church of St Cross stands today was once part of a different church area. In the early 1860s, a man named Peter Hoare gave this land to Reverend Charles Henry Lomax. They decided to build a new church there.
Building the Church
The well-known architect William Butterfield was asked to create the plans for the new church. Construction started in 1862. The church was designed in the Gothic Revival style, which was popular at the time. This style brought back elements from medieval Gothic churches.
Consecration and Stained Glass
When the church was finished in 1866, the Bishop of Manchester Diocese, Bishop Prince Lee, was in charge. He was a "low churchman," meaning he preferred simpler church designs. Bishop Lee did not like the fancy, decorative style of St Cross. Because of this, he initially refused to officially dedicate the church.
However, another bishop, James Fraser, eventually consecrated the church in 1874. This meant it was officially recognized for worship. Originally, St Cross did not have many stained glass windows. In 1970, when the Church of St Peter in nearby Oldham closed, sixteen of its beautiful stained glass windows were given to St Cross. You can now see them in the main part of the church, called the nave.
War Graves at St Cross
The churchyard, which is the area around the church, is also a special place. It contains the graves of nine soldiers. Seven of these soldiers fought in World War I, and two fought in World War II. Their graves are cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Church Design and Features
The Church of St Cross is very tall and striking. It is built with red bricks, which was a common material used by its architect, William Butterfield. It also has bands of blue brick and light-colored stone, which create a unique pattern. The church's style is called "Middle Pointed," a type of Gothic architecture.
The Tower and Entrance
On the southwest side of the church, there is a tall tower. It is narrow and reaches high into the sky. The tower has slender supports called buttresses and a steep, pointed roof made of patterned slate. There is also a porch on the south side with an arched doorway, which is the main entrance.
Inside the Church
Even though some of its original furniture is gone, the inside of the church still clearly shows Butterfield's design. It has a timber-framed roof and rows of arches supported by columns. These arches are decorated with colorful stone and tiles. Later, in the late 1900s, similar patterns were added using stenciling. The church also has some notable stained glass windows that show the patron saints of the British Isles. The Church of St Cross is a Grade II* listed building, meaning it is very important for its history and architecture.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Greater Manchester
- Listed buildings in Manchester-M11
