St Ann's, Stretford facts for kids
St Ann's Church in Stretford is a special old building. It's a Roman Catholic church located in Stretford, Greater Manchester, England. Builders finished it between 1862 and 1863. You can find it on the east side of the A56 Chester Road. This church is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford, which means it's looked after by the local Catholic church leaders. It is also a Grade II listed building, meaning it's important and protected.
How St Ann's Church Began
St Ann's started small in 1859. It began as a 'mission', which is like a new church community, in a little chapel on Herbert Street in Stretford.
At first, it was a smaller church connected to All Saints, Barton. This meant it helped out the main church. Later, in 1862, it became connected to St Francis, Gorton. Priests from the Franciscan order then looked after the church.
Building the Church
A famous architect named E. W. Pugin designed the church. He used the Gothic Revival style, which looks like old medieval churches.
Sir Humphrey de Trafford asked for the church to be built. He wanted it as a special wedding anniversary gift for his wife, Lady Annette.
Mr. Glaistor from Liverpool was the main builder. Hardman & Co. from Birmingham made the beautiful windows and metal decorations. Richard Lockwood Boulton from Worcester was the stonemason, who worked with the stone.
The church officially opened on 22 November 1863. Bishop William Turner led the opening ceremony.
The presbytery (where the priests live) and the sacristy (a room for church items) were finished in 1865. Bishop William Turner then officially consecrated the church on 18 June 1867. The next year, in 1868, a church organ was put in by FW Jardine of Manchester.
Changes Over Time
The church got a fresh new look in 1893 and 1894. It was refurbished and redecorated. An artist named JA Pippet from Hardman & Co. painted murals inside. These paintings showed different parts of the life of St Ann.
In the 1930s, the church was updated again. New oak furniture was added, including a pulpit (where sermons are given), altar rails, and a font (for baptisms). New wood panels were also put in the sanctuary area.
Work stopped when World War II began. During the war, St Ann's Church was damaged by bombs in the Manchester Blitz.
In the 1960s, the church was updated a lot for its 100th birthday. Then, in the 1970s, more changes happened after the Second Vatican Council. This council brought new ways of worship. The high altar, pulpit, and later the altar rails were all removed to make the sanctuary more modern for the new church services.
See also
- Listed buildings in Stretford
