Tour a 19th-century neo-Gothic church that enchants with its statues, ornamental artwork and architecture.
Devote at least an hour to exploring Christ Church Moss Side, a well-maintained Victorian place of worship noted for its art and structural design.
Step inside the church and walk around the tall and spacious interior. Take note of the stained-glass windows and religious icons that include a statue of the Virgin Mary.
The principle draw for visitors at this church is the large ornamental screen behind the High Altar. This magnificent work of art was created by Gothic Revival architect G. F. Bodley and is 34 feet (10 metres) high and 24 feet (7 metres) wide. Enjoy the detailing of the gilded and colored carvings of the Annunciation, Nativity, Crucifixion of Christ and other biblical events.
The late 19th-century lectern is also worth noting. It was a present to mark the ordination of Reverend George Garrett in 1877. Reverend Garrett was a British clergyman who pioneered submarine design while working as a curate here.
After you’ve studied the interior, spend some time appreciating the stonework of the exterior. Look at the engraved plaque at the rear of the structure with its Latin dedication “Ad Gloriam Dei” (“Glory to God”).
The Anglican church was constructed between 1896 and 1904 and replaced a previous church on this site. The large redbrick neo-Gothic style building has a special conservation status that is designed to preserve key parts of the urban landscape.
The church is open for visitors on Saturday mornings and certain times during the week when religious services are being conducted. At other times, the parish priest advises calling ahead to make sure he is around to open the doors. For more details, go to the Church of England’s website.
Christ Church is situated in Moss Side, an inner-city suburb approximately 2 miles (3 kilometres) south of Manchester city centre. The building is served by a number of bus routes that stop in nearby streets.
