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St James Church Gorton and Abbey Hey - “People, Places and Pastimes - On the streets of Gorton”

Wellington Street, Gorton, St James Parish Church, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M188LJ

  • Multiple dates available
  • In person
  • Pre-booking not required

Exhibitions and activities exploring the history of St James Church and community. How did people spend their time at work and leisure? What was your family history in Gorton like? How do we connect with our history? Share archives and photographs.

Immerse yourself in faith, history, beauty, and fun at our Heritage Open Days. There will be a guide book to help you on your tour, along with displays including historical photos and people to help you.
We will celebrate pastimes enjoyed by our ancestors and reminisce on the games we used to play. There will be activities to entertain you - hoola hoops, elastic skipping, jigsaws, snakes and ladders, ludo, beetle game, jacks, hopscotch, skipping...Come and have fun!
Refreshments available.
There has been a church on the site of St James since the mid 15th Century. It was then a 'wattle and daub' building which stood for 300 years and was replaced by an 18th Century church dedicated to St Thomas. The current church was built in 1871 thanks to the generosity of local industrialist and philanthropist, Charles Fredrick Beyer. It was built at a cost of £6421, 17 shillings and threepence! for the local workforce, primarily employees of Beyer Peacock, locomotive engineers.
It was designed by celebrated architect, George Shaw, on a grand scale with an elegant 120 ft spire. It has a soaring nave, clerestory windows, expansive east and west windows, a lady chapel and a pipe organ. There are beautiful stained glass windows, carved oak furnishings and a sculptured stone font. It is Grade 2 listed.
St James has a local ecumenical partnership with The Methodist Church since the 1970's and next door is a Church Centre used by the church and community. We look forward to welcoming you.

Timings & Tours

Friday 13 September:
11.00 - 5.00 General Opening
Saturday 14 September:
11.00 - 5.00 General Opening
Sunday 15 September:
10.00 - 11.30 Morning Service All welcome 11.30 - 4.00 General Opening

Location & directions

Wellington Street, Gorton, St James Parish Church, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M188LJ

Directions:
Directions Turn off the A57, Hyde Road, onto Wellington St. Go through a set of traffic lights and a post office on your right. Turn left onto Mercer Road (M188LJR) by The Church Centre. The car park is to the rear of the church with ramp access. The main entrance is to the front of the church.
Contact on day:
Jane Herring
Telephone number:
+447872595537

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:
Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

The Altar can be accessed via a portable ramp. A disabled toilet could be used in the separate Church Centre next door.

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:
50

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