Stockport: St Mark
Overview
Grid reference: SJ 886 889
St Mark’s was built by a break-away group as a temporary church to serve the parish of Edgeley and Cheadle Heath in 1921. It replaced a temporary tin church that stood on nearby Castle Street since 1888-9. The new Berlin Road site was given by Major H R Sykes of Lydham Manor, Salop. The church is a simple building of red brick laid in horizontal bands. The nave, chancel and aisles are all under one roof. Simple pointed windows with Y-tracery give the appearance of an ecclesiastical building. The north and south elevations are buttressed.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West porch. Single 6-bay space with easternmost 2-bays forming chancel. Timber partitions to north and south creating north vestry and south organ chamber. Flower room attached to south-east corner. A basement runs the full length of the church room (used for storage).
Dimensions:
Nave and chancel 20m (65ft) x 10m (33ft).
Description of Archaeology and History
Stockport sits on high ground either side of the River Mersey. Though it is best known for its 19th-century industrial development the town has earlier origins. 2 Bronze Age palstaves have been found within 1km of the church. The Sykes Bleach Works, established in the 18th century, was once positioned to the north-west of the site but only the reservoirs remain as evidence for the industry. Significant buildings in the vicinity date to the 19th century. No archaeological remains are expected on this site.
St Mark’s was built by a break-away group as a temporary church to serve the parish of Edgeley and Cheadle Heath in 1921. The church replaced a temporary tin church that stood on nearby Castle Street since 1888.
The porch and attached parish rooms appear to be later additions.
Exterior Description
The church is a simple building of red brick laid in horizontal bands. The nave, chancel and aisles are all under one roof. Simple pointed windows with Y-tracery give the appearance of an ecclesiastical building. The north and south elevations are buttressed. A single storey west porch appears to be a later addition. There is a bellcote at the apex of the west gable containing a single bell.
Building Fabric and Features
Porch
20th century west
Nave
20th century single 6-bay space
Chancel
20th century easternmost 2 bays of the chancel
Vestry
20th century north
Organ (component)
20th century south chamber
Basement
20th century runs full length of church room
Stained Glass
Various 20th Century
North aisle window (1925 – in memory of Dawson) and south aisle window (1923 – in memory of Watts) signed by Bagueley and Sons of Newcastle. Various unsigned windows, dated c1920s and c1957. East window, 1923.
Building Materials
Brick
20th century red
Timber
20th century roof structure
Slate
20th century synthetic roof tiles
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is a simple, large, open space with aisles separated by thin wooden pilasters. Patterns on the ceiling alternate between bays and suggest that dormer windows may have been intended. Plain timber floor boards are of one level (with one step up the the chancel). Carpet is laid in the aisles and chancel. Plain pine benches with umbrella stands remain in the aisles but have been removed from the nave and replaced with chairs. Wooden partitions at the east end form a north vestry and south organ chamber. A rectangular two-storey building is attached at the east end of the church, forming an L-shape plan. This appears to have been a later addition.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1921
wood table with central Agnus Dei in relief 1928
Reredos
1921
oak reredos painted with a scene of the Last Supper 1927
Pulpit
1921
wood, elongated polygon on pedestal with open tracery to upper portion and decorated panels below, 1925
Lectern
1921
oak eagle
Font (component)
1921
carved octagonal oak font with cherub heads, leadlined bowl with lid c 1913
Organ (component)
1921
2-manual pipe organ by Jardine & Co of Manchester
Rail
1921
wood panelling
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Baptism registers from 1921. Marriage registers from 1922. Confirmation register from 1934.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SJ 886 889
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
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