The imposing tower of St Mary’s Church once pierced the Manchester skyline. It was the tallest structure in its day.
St Mary’s Church wasn’t always a hidden gem. It was built in 1756. The burgeoning population of Manchester during the Industrial Revolution demanded more churches. St Mary’s was one answer. It stood proudly at Parsonage Croft land belonging to Manchester Collegiate Church.
The church’s architect faced criticism for its plain Doric style. Ironically its impressive 180-foot tower topped with a lantern and spire was a point of pride. Storms however proved troublesome. The spire was damaged in 1824. It was eventually removed completely in 1854.
Initially part of the Manchester parish St Mary’s gained its own parish in 1839. As Manchester’s center grew more commercial affluent congregations dwindled. The last service was held in December 1887. The church closed on October 4 1890. The final service was interrupted. The rector Richard Tonge discovered pages were missing from his Bible. The church’s dilapidation was too extensive to ignore.
St Mary’s Church was demolished in 1891. The adjacent Parsonage House shared a similar fate in 1897. Parsonage Gardens now occupy the site. It’s a designated conservation area a green space in the heart of the city. Some of St Mary’s church plate now resides at St Ann’s Church. The story of St Mary’s Church is a poignant reminder of Manchester’s ever-changing landscape. A testament to a bygone era. A once-grand church now a memory.