Church of St Wilfrid, Northenden
Encyclopedia
The Church of St Wilfrid in Ford Lane, Northenden
, Manchester
, England, is an Anglican church of late medieval origins which was substantially re-built in the 19th century by J. S. Crowther
. The church was designated a Grade II* listed building on 25 February 1952.
The origin of St Wilfrid's is possibly Saxon, with a mention in the Domesday Book
of a "church (at) Norwardine: (held by) Ranulf and Bigot from Earl Hugh." The core of the current church is 15th century. Crowther was commissioned to undertake repairs in 1872 but found that the medieval church was substantially without foundations. He therefore undertook complete rebuilding, except for the Perpendicular
tower, in 1873–6. Crowther also prepared plans for the re-building of the tower, but these were not followed through and reconstruction was undertaken instead.
The interior contains some original medieval screens, including one above the doorway in the south chapel which depicts "a pair of tumbler
s and a monkey sitting on a drum. The tumblers can be read in two ways, so that they really do seem to tumble." The Victorian
stained glass is complete, donated either by the Tatton family of nearby Wythenshawe Hall
, or the Watkins family of Rose Hill, Northenden
Some may be the work of the significant stained glass designer, Charles Eamer Kempe
. There is a good selection of funerary monuments "to members of the Tatton and Egerton families including: Robert Tatton
(d.1689), aedicule with putti; Mrs Egerton (d.1784), urn with carved flower garland
; William Egerton (d.1806), woman lying on sarcophagus
; and to Thomas Worthington (d.1856), mourning woman with 3 sarcophagi under weeping willow."
In the large graveyard is the tomb of Sir Edward Watkin, Victorian railway magnate, as well as those of many of the Tatton family.
Northenden
Northenden is a suburban area and electoral ward of the city of Manchester in North West England. It lies on the south side of both the River Mersey and the M60 motorway, west of Stockport and south of Manchester city centre. Northenden is bounded by the districts of Didsbury, Gatley and...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England, is an Anglican church of late medieval origins which was substantially re-built in the 19th century by J. S. Crowther
J. S. Crowther
Joseph Stretch Crowther was an English architect who practised in Manchester.-Life:He studied under Richard Tattersall from 1838–1843. He worked as a managing clerk for Henry Bowman until 1846, when Bowman took him into partnership as Bowman & Crowther...
. The church was designated a Grade II* listed building on 25 February 1952.
The origin of St Wilfrid's is possibly Saxon, with a mention in the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
of a "church (at) Norwardine: (held by) Ranulf and Bigot from Earl Hugh." The core of the current church is 15th century. Crowther was commissioned to undertake repairs in 1872 but found that the medieval church was substantially without foundations. He therefore undertook complete rebuilding, except for the Perpendicular
Perpendicular
In geometry, two lines or planes are considered perpendicular to each other if they form congruent adjacent angles . The term may be used as a noun or adjective...
tower, in 1873–6. Crowther also prepared plans for the re-building of the tower, but these were not followed through and reconstruction was undertaken instead.
The interior contains some original medieval screens, including one above the doorway in the south chapel which depicts "a pair of tumbler
Acrobatics
Acrobatics is the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility and motor coordination. It can be found in many of the performing arts, as well as many sports...
s and a monkey sitting on a drum. The tumblers can be read in two ways, so that they really do seem to tumble." The Victorian
Victorian decorative arts
Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior...
stained glass is complete, donated either by the Tatton family of nearby Wythenshawe Hall
Wythenshawe Hall
Wythenshawe Hall is a 16th-century medieval timber-framed historic house and former stately home in Wythenshawe, Manchester, England. It is east of Altrincham and south of Stretford, five miles south of Manchester city centre, in Wythenshawe Park.-History:The half-timbered Tudor house was the home...
, or the Watkins family of Rose Hill, Northenden
Rose Hill, Northenden
Rose Hill in Longley Lane, Northenden, Manchester, England, is a 19th-century Victorian villa, most notable as the home of Sir Edward Watkin, "railway king and cross-channel visionary". The house was designated a Grade II* listed building on 11 April 1991.Sir Edward's father, Absalom Watkin,...
Some may be the work of the significant stained glass designer, Charles Eamer Kempe
Charles Eamer Kempe
Charles Eamer Kempe was a well-known Victorian stained glass designer. After attending Twyford School, he studied for the priesthood at Pembroke College, Oxford, but it became clear that his severe stammer would be an impediment to preaching...
. There is a good selection of funerary monuments "to members of the Tatton and Egerton families including: Robert Tatton
Robert Tatton
Robert Tatton was the High Sheriff of Chester between 1645 and 1646. A supporter of King Charles I in the English Civil War, Robert is perhaps best known for the ultimately unsuccessful defence of his family home, Wythenshawe Hall, during its three-month siege by a Parliamentary force in the...
(d.1689), aedicule with putti; Mrs Egerton (d.1784), urn with carved flower garland
Garland
A garland is a class of decoration, of which there are many types.Garland may also refer to:-Places:*Garland, Arkansas, a town in Miller County*Garland County, Arkansas*Garland, Maine, a town in Penobscot County...
; William Egerton (d.1806), woman lying on sarcophagus
Sarcophagus
A sarcophagus is a funeral receptacle for a corpse, most commonly carved or cut from stone. The word "sarcophagus" comes from the Greek σαρξ sarx meaning "flesh", and φαγειν phagein meaning "to eat", hence sarkophagus means "flesh-eating"; from the phrase lithos sarkophagos...
; and to Thomas Worthington (d.1856), mourning woman with 3 sarcophagi under weeping willow."
In the large graveyard is the tomb of Sir Edward Watkin, Victorian railway magnate, as well as those of many of the Tatton family.