Eccles Parish Church

This is the oldest building in the city of Salford. The original twelfth century church was small and of simple design and quickly became inadequate for an increasing population. The St Catherine’s Chapel was built in 1368 and a new south door created. A century later the Nave was widened northwards and the roof raised to include a clerestory. The Chancel’s low pitched roof was now quite out of proportion to the magnificent Nave but it was not until 1861 that it was enlarged, Minton tiles covering multiple burial chambers. Recently this floor has begun to sink and a full archaeological exploration is now being undertaken to determine the exact cause of the collapse and determine the best way to restore it and preserve the magnificent encaustic tiles.

William Mayo was born in Salford and baptised here in 1819. He studied science in Manchester under John Dalton and emigrated to the United States in 1846. His two sons qualified in medicine and, in 1889, the three doctors established the Mayo Clinic. A window in the Nave, designed by Francis Spear, was dedicated in 1929 in the presence of his sons.

John Gilbert (the agent of the 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, who built the world’s first canal in 1761) is buried here. His coffin's lid was excavated in 1996 and can be seen in the St Catherine's Chapel.

The original twelfth century tower was rebuilt two centuries later to house five bells. The present 8 bells are from St John's Deansgate, Manchester and were installed in 1929.

Timings

Saturday 12 September:

Church & Tower open 1000 to 1400. Church tours at 1030; 1130; 1230. Refreshments

Sunday 13 September:

Church open 1000 to 1400. Refreshments from 1230. NB Service 1115

Tuesday 15 September:

Church open 1300 to 1600. NB Prayer Group 1330

Thursday 17 September:

Church open 1000 to 1400. Refreshments from 1100. NB Service 1015

Friday 18 September:

Church open 1000 to 1400.

Saturday 19 September:

Church & Tower open 1000 to 1400. Church tours at 1030; 1130; 1230. Refreshments.

Sunday 20 September:

Church open 1000 to 1400. Refreshments from 1230. NB Service 1115.

Location & directions

St. Mary the Virgin Eccles Parish Church, 33 Church Road, Eccles, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M30 0DL

Directions:

You're best coming by Tram, Train or Bus. All are within 200 m of the church. A public car park (charges apply) is 100m away but finding it can be difficult.

Contact on day:

David Yates

Telephone number:

+447986531732

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Additional information

The building has been put on Historic England's Heritage at Risk register because of a "localised sub floor collapse of a burial chamber in front of the communion rail and altar and this is allowing the floor to deflect". Consequently, an archeological excavation of the Chancel floor is taking place and this will be active throughout the week.

Max number of people:

20

Estimated duration:

50 minute(s)

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