St George's Church, Tyldesley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St George's Church, Tyldesley |
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Tyldesley Parish Church from the north
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| 53°30′49″N 2°28′17″W / 53.5135°N 2.4714°W | |
| OS grid reference | SD 688 019 |
| Location | Lower Elliot Street, Tyldesley, Greater Manchester |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | The Parish Church of St George |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | St George |
| Consecrated | 19 September 1825 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 18 July 1966 |
| Architect(s) | Sir Robert Smirke |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | November 1821 |
| Completed | 1887 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1,100 (originally) |
| Length | 112 feet (34 m) |
| Width | 60 feet (18 m) |
| Spire height | 150 feet (46 m) |
| Materials | Sandstone |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Tyldesley cum Shakerley |
| Deanery | Leigh |
| Archdeaconry | Salford |
| Diocese | Manchester |
| Province | York |
St George's Church is an Anglican church that serves the areas of Tyldesley and Shakerley in Greater Manchester, England. It is part of the Leigh area within the diocese of Manchester. This church, along with St Stephen's Church, Astley and St John's Church, Mosley Common, works together as one group of churches.
The church was built in 1825. It was one of the "Waterloo Churches," built after Britain's victory at the Battle of Waterloo. It started as a smaller church linked to the main parish church in Leigh. A funny mistake with the building plans meant it was built bigger than planned! Extra land and money were given to finish it. The church was made larger in the 1880s and has survived two fires. In 1966, it was named a Grade II listed building, which means it's an important historic place.
Contents
History of St George's Church
Before 1789, people in Tyldesley mostly went to the main church in Leigh. But Tyldesley's population grew very fast after 1800. People wanted their own church closer to home. Thomas Johnson, who owned a lot of land, gave some for a new church.
This church was paid for by the British government. It was part of a plan to build many new churches after the Battle of Waterloo. The government promised £17,000 for the building. The architect who designed it was Robert Smirke.
Building the Church
Work on the church began in November 1821. The first stone was laid on April 23, 1822, which is St George's Day. As the church was being built, people realised it was too big for the land. It turned out the plans had been mixed up with those for another church in Chorley!
Thomas Johnson's nephew, George Ormerod, helped out. He gave more land for the churchyard and £2,000 so the church could be finished. Building was completed in November 1824. The church bells were brought from Leigh on carts in August 1825. When they arrived, people celebrated by filling the largest bell with ale from local inns!
The church was officially opened on September 19, 1825, by the Bishop of Chester. It was named St George's Chapel. Tyldesley became its own parish in August 1829. In 1833, the spelling of the town's name changed from Tildesley to Tyldesley.
Changes Over Time
St George's Church was changed and updated in 1886 and 1887. The east end was made 12 feet longer to create a new chancel (the area around the altar). A vestry (a room for clergy) and an entrance porch were added. The large gallery at the west end was removed, and a smaller one was put in.
Many parts of the church were updated. The wooden roofs were panelled, and the floor was replaced. The windows got new glass. Paint was removed from the stone walls, and the columns were made thinner. New lighting and a heating system were also installed.
In 1920, a special War Memorial Chapel, also called the Lady Chapel, was opened. It was built to remember those who served in wars.
St George's has survived two fires. The first was in 1878. It destroyed the upper gallery where the choir and organ were. The second fire, in 1966, damaged half the roof and part of the ceiling.
In 1886, St John's Church at Mosley Common was built as a smaller church linked to St George's.
Church Structure
The stone for St George's Church came from Peel Quarry in Little Hulton. The church was built in the Early English Gothic style. It has a long main area called a nave with seven sections. It also has a clerestory, which is a high wall with windows above the main roof.
The chancel has windows with two or three sections. On the north side, there is a vestry and a porch. The church is about 112 feet (34 metres) long and 60 feet (18 metres) wide.
The Tower and Spire
The tower is at the west end of the church. It has a main door and rises in three parts. At the top, there is a parapet with decorative pinnacles and flying buttresses. From the tower, a tall, eight-sided spire rises to 150 feet (46 metres) high.
The tower has a tall, narrow window in its second part. In the third part, there are three narrow openings for the belfry (where the bells are). Each side of the tower also has a clock face.
Fittings and Furniture
The tower holds eight bells. The first six bells were made in 1825. In 1910, two more bells were added. In the 1960s, the bells could not be rung because of cracks in the tower. But after repairs in 2012, the bells could be rung again.
The town's first public clock was put on the tower in 1847. It had three faces and was paid for by the public. A new clock with four faces was installed in 1913. It was wound by hand until 1967, but now it uses electricity. In 1937, electricity also replaced gas for lighting the church.
When it was first built, the church could seat 1,100 people. It still has its west gallery. The original font (for baptisms) from 1825 was replaced in 1853. In 1860, a new organ was bought, replacing an older one.
Most of the church's wooden parts are from the 1887 updates. The wood in the chancel is American walnut and has detailed carvings. The wooden altar and the screen behind it (called a reredos) are also beautifully carved. The pulpit (where sermons are given) is made of carved walnut on a red stone base. New wooden pews replaced the original box pews.
The stained glass in the east window was designed in 1956. On either side of this window are mosaic panels from 1914. Each panel shows two of the Four Evangelists (writers of the Gospels). Other stained-glass windows in the chancel show saints. They were moved to St George's around 1958. The church also has old monuments, including one from 1855.
Clergy of St George's
In its first 100 years, St George's had four main church leaders, called incumbents or vicars.
Jacob Robson was the first leader, starting in 1825. He became the vicar in 1842 and died in 1851. George Richards took over from 1851 to 1884. During his time, many people who died in the Yew Tree Colliery mining accident in 1858 were buried in the churchyard.
John Lund was the next vicar. He oversaw the church's extension in 1886 and the building of the vicarage (the vicar's house) in 1902. He was vicar for 36 years until 1920. Samuel Fleming then became vicar and served until 1948.
See also
- List of churches in Greater Manchester
- List of Commissioners' churches in Northeast and Northwest England
- Listed buildings in Tyldesley
Images for kids
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"The site of this churchyard was given in the year 1820 by Thomas Johnson Esq. and enclosed in the year 1825 by George Ormerod Esq."
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St George's north side and spire
