St Edmund's Church, Rochdale Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Saint Edmund's Church
St Edmund's viewed from Broadfield Park
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OS grid reference	SD 891 138
Location	Rochdale, Greater Manchester
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade I

Saint Edmund's Church is a special old church building in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. It is no longer used for regular church services. A rich businessman and Freemason named Albert Royds paid for it to be built. The church was finished in 1873. It cost a huge amount of money, about £25,000 at the time. This would be like spending millions of pounds today!

What makes this church so unique is that it's the only one in England that clearly shows Masonic symbols and ideas. Because of its amazing design and Masonic theme, St Edmund's Church is a very important building. It was first listed as a Grade II* building in 1985. This means it's a building of special interest.

In 2007, the church closed for worship. Later, in 2009, a group called The Victorian Society said it was "unusual and extraordinary" but also in danger. In 2010, its status was upgraded to a Grade I building. This is the highest level of protection for historic buildings. It means the church is incredibly important. Now, the Churches Conservation Trust looks after it.

Building History
- Who Built Saint Edmund's Church?
- How Much Did It Cost?
Unique Features
Protecting Its Heritage
Gallery
See also

Building History

Who Built Saint Edmund's Church?

St Edmund's Church was ordered by Albert Hudson Royds. He was a rich businessman and banker from Rochdale. His family was well-known for trading wool and for their part in the Rochdale Canal. Royds chose a high spot in Rochdale for the church. He hired architects James Medland and Henry Taylor from Manchester to design it.

How Much Did It Cost?

The church was built between 1870 and 1873. It cost between £22,000 and £28,000. To give you an idea, a normal church at that time might only cost £4,000. This shows how much money and effort went into building St Edmund's.

Unique Features

Masonic Symbols in the Church

You can find signs of Freemasonry everywhere at St Edmund's. Look closely at the weathervane and the lectern (where readings are given). The inside of the church is shaped like a perfect cube.

Special Roof and Windows

The roof is a "hammerbeam roof." It's decorated with Masonic symbols like pomegranates, lilies, and water lilies. The church also has beautiful stained glass windows. On the south side, these windows show themes of building and Freemasonry.

Royds Chapel and Its Meaning

The Masonic theme is strongest in the Royds Chapel. A window there shows important figures like Nehemiah and Ezra. It also shows the Tyler, who guards a Masonic Lodge, holding a sword. The window even shows Solomon's Temple with Albert Hudson Royds as one of the master builders. In the main part of the church, the lectern has three brass columns. These columns are engraved with the tools used by masons.

Protecting Its Heritage

Why St Edmund's Is So Important

Many churches in Rochdale have small hints of Freemasonry. But none show it as much as St Edmund's. The church was first listed as a Grade II* building in 1985. This means it's a very important historic building.

A Critically Endangered Treasure

The Victorian Society, a group that protects old buildings, called St Edmund's "unusual and extraordinary." They also said it was "critically endangered." This meant it was one of the top 10 most endangered buildings in the country.

Upgraded to Grade I Status

In September 2010, the church's status was upgraded to a Grade I listed building. This is the highest level of protection. It happened because the church is a rare example of Masonic architecture in a church building. Nick Bridgland from English Heritage said that St Edmund's is unique. It mixes the old Gothic style with Masonic symbols. This creates a building that is both a church and a "temple to Freemasonry." He added that the complete Masonic design is unmatched in England.

Gallery

Chancel with altar
Masonic lectern

St Edmund's Church, Rochdale facts for kids

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