St George's Church, Heaviley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St George's Church, Heaviley |
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St George's Church, Heaviley, from the east
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OS grid reference | SJ 900,889 |
Location | Buxton Road, Heaviley, Stockport, Greater Manchester |
Country | England |
Denomination | Anglican |
Website | St George, Stockport |
History | |
Status | Parish church |
Dedication | Saint George |
Consecrated | 25 February 1897 |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Active |
Heritage designation | Grade I |
Designated | 10 March 1975 |
Architect(s) | Hubert Austin |
Architectural type | Church |
Style | Gothic Revival |
Groundbreaking | 1893 |
Completed | 1897 |
Specifications | |
Capacity | 1,401 |
Length | 180 feet (55 m) |
Width | 75 feet (23 m) |
Spire height | 236 feet (72 m) |
Materials | Runcorn sandstone |
Administration | |
Parish | Stockport, Saint George |
Deanery | Stockport |
Archdeaconry | Macclesfield |
Diocese | Chester |
Province | York |
St George's Church is a beautiful church located in Heaviley, an area of Stockport, Greater Manchester, England. It is an active Anglican parish church, meaning it serves the local community. The church is considered very important and is listed as a Grade I building on the National Heritage List for England. This means it's a building of exceptional interest. Many people think it's one of the most impressive churches in Stockport. A former archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, even said it was "the finest church built in England since the Reformation".
Contents
History of St George's Church
The first stone for St George's Church was laid in 1893. The church was officially opened and blessed on February 25, 1897. It was designed by Hubert Austin, an architect from the firm Paley, Austin and Paley.
The church was part of a larger project. It included the vicarage (the priest's house) and schools. All these buildings were paid for by George Fearn, a local brewer. The total cost for the church and its related buildings was nearly £80,000 in 1898.
Architecture and Design
Exterior Features of the Church
St George's Church is built from red Runcorn sandstone. Its design style is Perpendicular Gothic, which is a late form of Gothic architecture. It also has some hints of Art Nouveau style.
The church has a long main hall called a nave with six sections. It has a clerestory, which is an upper level with windows. There are also north and south aisles, which are side passages. The church has porches on the north and south sides.
A large tower stands where the nave and chancel meet, called the crossing. The chancel and sanctuary are at the east end. There is a Lady Chapel to the north and an organ room to the south. A vestry is located to the southeast.
The tower has a parapet with a jagged top, like a castle wall. It also has corner pinnacles, which are small pointed towers. These pinnacles are connected by flying buttresses to the spire, which is the tall, pointed top of the tower.
The church is about 55 meters (180 feet) long and 23 meters (75 feet) wide. The tower itself is about 34 meters (112 feet) tall. With the spire, the total height reaches about 72 meters (236 feet).
Inside the Church: What to See
The reredos, a decorative screen behind the altar, is made from Derbyshire alabaster. It features three carved panels. The middle panel shows the Crucifixion, and the side panels show the Virgin Mary and Saint John.
The font, used for baptisms, is also made of Derbyshire alabaster. It is beautifully carved with plants and leaves. Both the reredos and the font were carved by Robert Bridgeman.
The pulpit, where sermons are given, has six small niches. These niches hold figures of important saints: Saint Paul, Saint Matthew, Saint Mark, Saint Luke, Saint John, and Saint Peter.
The lectern, where readings are given, is a brass eagle. It stands on a base supported by lions. The Lady Chapel has a carved oak screen separating it from the chancel. It also has a carved oak reredos with figures of Saint John the Divine and Saint John the Baptist.
The church has stained glass windows only in the east and west ends, and one in the south aisle. All the stained glass was made by Shrigley and Hunt. The east window shows a picture of Saint George and the Dragon.
The large organ has three keyboards and was built in 1897. It cost £1,710 at the time. The organ was rebuilt in 1936 and had more work done in 1981. The organ's outer case was designed by Hubert Austin. The church also has a ring of ten bells. All these bells were made in 1896 by Mears and Stainbank.
Outside the Church
In the churchyard, there is a sandstone memorial for the First World War. It was built around 1920. This memorial lists the names of 137 men. It features a tall cross and a statue of Saint George. The statue stands under a special roof-like structure called a canopy. This memorial is listed as a Grade II building.
The wall around the churchyard and its gate posts are also listed as Grade II. The gate posts for the nearby church school are also listed. The former vicarage, built around 1920, is also a Grade II listed building. It was built in the Arts and Crafts style.
Images for kids
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Greater Manchester
- List of churches in Greater Manchester
- Listed buildings in Stockport
- List of works by Paley, Austin and Paley