| Albion Congregational Church | |
|---|---|
 Albion Congregational Church in 2015 | |
  Albion Congregational Church Location in Greater Manchester | |
| 53°29′15″N2°05′13″W / 53.48750°N 2.08694°W /53.48750; -2.08694 | |
| OS grid reference | SJ 94326 99003 |
| Location | Stamford Street East,Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Congregational |
| Website | albionurc |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 12 January 1967 |
| Architect | John Brooke |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1890 |
| Completed | 1895 |
Albion Congregational Church, nowAlbion United Reformed Church, is aGrade II* listed church on Stamford Street East inAshton-under-Lyne, a market town inTameside, Greater Manchester, England. Designed by theManchester architect John Brooke, it was built between 1890 and 1895 as a majorNonconformist landmark in the town.
Albion Congregational Church was constructed between 1890 and 1895 to the designs of theManchester architect John Brooke, forming one of the most prominentNonconformist buildings inAshton-under-Lyne. The foundation stone was laid in 1890, and the completed church opened five years later as a major statement of late‑VictorianCongregational confidence supported by leading local industrialists.[1]
The design for the church was exhibited at theRoyal Academy in 1892.[2]
On 12 January 1967, the church was designated aGrade II* listed building.[3]
Following the formation of theUnited Reformed Church in 1972, the congregation joined the new denomination and the building became known as Albion United Reformed Church.
The church is constructed inashlar with a roof of slate, and comprises aclerestory,nave, aisle passages, a north‑west tower,transepts, and achancel flanked by avestry and an organ chamber. It is designed in theGothic Revival style, specifically aDecorated style.[4] The eight‑bay nave, with five‑bay aisles, stands on a plinth and is supported by flyingbuttresses that rise to thecoped parapet with gabled pinnacles above.[3] The aisles contain three‑light windows, while the clerestory is lit by tall paired two‑lighttransomed openings, each with a flattraceried head. The transepts have five‑light windows, and the west and east ends contain seven‑light windows with tracery, all positioned beneathraked parapets. The chancel is of two bays, and the roofline is marked by an elaborateflèche.[3]
The four‑stage tower is defined by set‑back buttresses, both weathered and gableted, and includes an arched doorway, cuspedlancet openings, and a three‑light transomed window at the third stage. The fourth stage carries clock faces positioned in front ofblind arcading. Above, the spire, fitted withlucarnes, rises from behind a parapet with corner pinnacles.[4]
Internally, the building is finished throughout in ashlar red sandstone. Anarthex occupies the space beneath the gallery. The nave arcade is moulded and carried on octagonal columns with foliatedcapitals. The nave is lofty and covered by trusses with angelichammerbeams rising fromcorbels that are carved.[4] Timber fittings comprise thepulpit with sounding board, stalls, pews, chancel panelling, and organ case. The transepts and east window contain stained glass byMorris & Co. The organ, built in 1894 byT. C. Lewis,[5] was rebuilt in 1953 byRushworth and Dreaper.[6] A specification of the organ can be found on theNational Pipe Organ Register[7] and on Jonathan Scott's concert pages.[6] Thereredos is arranged as a tiled memorial to both World Wars, installed by Pilkingtons in 1921.[3]
