St Mary's Church, Manchester facts for kids

St Mary's Church was an Anglican parish church located in Manchester, England. It was an important building during a time when Manchester was growing very quickly.

Why St Mary's Church Was Built

During the 1700s, Manchester saw a huge increase in its population. This was because of the Industrial Revolution, which brought many new people to the city for work. As more people moved in, there was a need for more churches. St Mary's Church was one of several new churches built to serve the growing community. It was finished and opened in 1756. Other churches, like St Ann's (built in 1712) and St John's, also appeared around this time.

Where Was St Mary's Church Located?

The church was built in an area called Parsonage Croft. This land was between a main street called Deansgate and the River Irwell. For many centuries, this land belonged to Manchester Collegiate Church. The church leaders from Manchester Collegiate Church decided to build St Mary's. They got special permission from Parliament in 1753. The first stone was laid in the same year, and the church was ready by 1756. The Collegiate Church also chose the first leader for St Mary's, a rector named Humphrey Owen.

What Did St Mary's Church Look Like?

St Mary's Church was a fairly simple building. It had a tall tower, about 180 feet (55 meters) high. On top of the tower was a special part called a lantern, which had eight pillars. Above that was a tall, pointed spire. At the time, this spire was the tallest structure in Manchester!

However, the spire had some problems. In 1824, a storm damaged the very top of it. Later, the damaged part was removed. By 1854, the entire spire was taken down.

The Church's Final Years

When it first opened, St Mary's was part of the larger Manchester parish. But on March 29, 1839, it became its own parish church. Over time, as the center of Manchester became more focused on businesses, fewer wealthy people attended the church.

The last regular church service at St Mary's was held in December 1887. The church officially closed after a service on October 4, 1890. By then, the building was in very poor condition. The last rector, Richard Tonge, even had to pause his service because the Bible he was using was missing pages!

What Happened to the Church Building?

St Mary's Church was torn down in 1891. A nearby building called Parsonage House, which was once home to an important person named Thomas La Warr, was also demolished in 1897.

Today, the area where the church and house once stood is known as Parsonage Gardens. It's now an open space and a special conservation area in the city. Some of the church's valuable items, like special cups (chalices), plates (patens), and collection dishes (almsdishes), were moved to St Ann's Church.