Souvenier Brochure of the History of St Mary, Birch
St. Mary’s Church, built in the early nineteenth century, was sited on the land given most generously by the late Colonel Robert Gregge-Hopwood, who lived in the family’s ancestral home at Hopwood Hall.
The deed, which bears the date of 1828, can be seen in the NewTemporaryChurch. The name of the parish, which was formed as a result of this gift bears the name of the family. Birch-in-Hopwood.
The church was completed in 1829, and was dedicated to the Glory of God for public worship. St. Mary being named as the patron saint. The total cost of the building was in the region of £4000.
The deed, which bears the date of 1828, can be seen in the NewTemporaryChurch. The name of the parish, which was formed as a result of this gift bears the name of the family. Birch-in-Hopwood.
The church was completed in 1829, and was dedicated to the Glory of God for public worship. St. Mary being named as the patron saint. The total cost of the building was in the region of £4000.
After 133 years of worship and devotion in this well-loved church, the sad news came to the parishioners that after an investigation of the building by an appointed architect the roof against the north and south walls was developing rot, and in the interest of public safety all future services should be held in the school.
The Vicar, the Rev. A. E. Davies, and the Parochial Church Council decided to have a further inspection of the church and an estimate for repairs to the roof, gutters. and plastering and to redecorate the interior of the church, including fees, would cost approximately £5,000. In addition it would probably be found necessary to rewire the church and to thoroughly overhaul and possibly renew the heating installation, together with a number of minor repairs which very likely would bring the cost of the work to f7,0
If this sum of money had been spent on restoring the church the overhead costs, mainly the heating of such a large church, would have been out of proportion with the congregation now attending, bearing in mind when the church was first built, in addition to Birch, it also served the village of Bowlee, Simister. Thornham, Hopwood and Pilsworth. A public meeting was held, and after a lengthy discussion it was agreed that it would be more economical to build a new church more suited to the present needs of the parish.
As in all schemes of this nature, finance was the predominating factor, and it was decided to circularise a scheme for distribution of envelopes to all parishioners with a view to their volunteering to participate in a New Church Fund.
To those who agreed to join the scheme, envelopes, one for each week of the year, were provided, in which they were invited to place a weekly contribution, and those envelopes which have been collected by lady members of the Church have brought such financial benefits—to date, the sum of £553 has been realised—-and this, together with a grant of £200 and a loan of £1,000 from the Manchester Diocesan Board of Finance, along with personal and private contributions, has made it possible for the New Temporary Church to be erected at a much earlier date than was anticipated.
A number of members of the Parochial Church Council were elected to form a Building Sub-Committee, headed by the Vicar, the Rev. A. E. Davies, and ii was agreed to build the church on the site at the right-hand side of the commencement of Church Brow, nearest to Langley Lane.
The church, a prefabricated timbered building in western red cedar outer boarding, was erected at a cost of £1,726, plus the excavation of the site. £550: the architect’s fees. £156; the laying of the electricity cable and the electrical installations, £492; the decorating inside and out, £128, plus £53 for treatment used on the floor space, made a total of £3,005.
Tl church has a seating accommodation for some 130 people in the form of light oak chairs, which were bought at a cost of £236. The colour scheme inside the church is of pleasing tones. The ceiling is painted in a pale blue, the side walls in pale yellow, the window frames and doors in pale grey. the end wall in cyclamen, the beams are grained and varnished in a light oak to match the far end wall. The most up-to-date heating apparatus has been installed, and the concealed lighting effects are, indeed, in keeping with the design of the building.
The Vicar, the Rev. A. E. Davies, and the Parochial Church Council decided to have a further inspection of the church and an estimate for repairs to the roof, gutters. and plastering and to redecorate the interior of the church, including fees, would cost approximately £5,000. In addition it would probably be found necessary to rewire the church and to thoroughly overhaul and possibly renew the heating installation, together with a number of minor repairs which very likely would bring the cost of the work to f7,0
If this sum of money had been spent on restoring the church the overhead costs, mainly the heating of such a large church, would have been out of proportion with the congregation now attending, bearing in mind when the church was first built, in addition to Birch, it also served the village of Bowlee, Simister. Thornham, Hopwood and Pilsworth. A public meeting was held, and after a lengthy discussion it was agreed that it would be more economical to build a new church more suited to the present needs of the parish.
As in all schemes of this nature, finance was the predominating factor, and it was decided to circularise a scheme for distribution of envelopes to all parishioners with a view to their volunteering to participate in a New Church Fund.
To those who agreed to join the scheme, envelopes, one for each week of the year, were provided, in which they were invited to place a weekly contribution, and those envelopes which have been collected by lady members of the Church have brought such financial benefits—to date, the sum of £553 has been realised—-and this, together with a grant of £200 and a loan of £1,000 from the Manchester Diocesan Board of Finance, along with personal and private contributions, has made it possible for the New Temporary Church to be erected at a much earlier date than was anticipated.
A number of members of the Parochial Church Council were elected to form a Building Sub-Committee, headed by the Vicar, the Rev. A. E. Davies, and ii was agreed to build the church on the site at the right-hand side of the commencement of Church Brow, nearest to Langley Lane.
The church, a prefabricated timbered building in western red cedar outer boarding, was erected at a cost of £1,726, plus the excavation of the site. £550: the architect’s fees. £156; the laying of the electricity cable and the electrical installations, £492; the decorating inside and out, £128, plus £53 for treatment used on the floor space, made a total of £3,005.
Tl church has a seating accommodation for some 130 people in the form of light oak chairs, which were bought at a cost of £236. The colour scheme inside the church is of pleasing tones. The ceiling is painted in a pale blue, the side walls in pale yellow, the window frames and doors in pale grey. the end wall in cyclamen, the beams are grained and varnished in a light oak to match the far end wall. The most up-to-date heating apparatus has been installed, and the concealed lighting effects are, indeed, in keeping with the design of the building.
Many items of furniture have been taken out of the old church and used in the new church. The communion table, made of oak, a gift from the ParishChurch at Middleton some 60 years ago, is of most exquisite workmanship.
Two seventeenth-century chairs which stand either side of the communion table have been left in their original colour. The altar rail, which has been made to fit the new church, has been stained a light oak to match the woodwork. The Mothers’ Union banner, which is placed on the right-hand side of the communion table, makes a colourful addition along with the blue carpet on the floor.
It is hoped in the near future the pulpit, made of dantzic oak and given as an offering by the late Rev. W. W. Kendall and his sister, E. G. Kendall, in the year 1881, will be made to fit in the church.
A leetern. also made of oak, stands on the right-hand side facing the choir seats. On the left side a new organ has been installed.
Down the centre aisle a new blue carpet, given by the Mothers’ Union members, adds a warmth of colour along with the new blue leather hassocks presented by the younger members of the Church.
The bowl of the font was a gift from a Church attender who wishes to remain anonynious. and the wooden stand for the howl was given by a well-known personality of the business life in the parish.
A table and a chest of drawers have been kindly given to help in the furnishing of the vestry.
The church was completed in June. 1q62.
The parish school, built in 1836, must of necessity be mentioned with the church, for it is there many activities take place, not only to raise nioney hut to keep together the band of willing workers. During the months of January and February. social evenings and dances are organised by various committees.
Preparations are made weeks in advance for the Whit walks. A rose queen and her attendants have been elected from the scholars who attend the day school, and committee members are busy arranging for the colourful procession which parades through the village, headed by a brass band. It has been said the bandsmen like to play a Birch, they always enjoy a good knife and fork tea.
Two seventeenth-century chairs which stand either side of the communion table have been left in their original colour. The altar rail, which has been made to fit the new church, has been stained a light oak to match the woodwork. The Mothers’ Union banner, which is placed on the right-hand side of the communion table, makes a colourful addition along with the blue carpet on the floor.
It is hoped in the near future the pulpit, made of dantzic oak and given as an offering by the late Rev. W. W. Kendall and his sister, E. G. Kendall, in the year 1881, will be made to fit in the church.
A leetern. also made of oak, stands on the right-hand side facing the choir seats. On the left side a new organ has been installed.
Down the centre aisle a new blue carpet, given by the Mothers’ Union members, adds a warmth of colour along with the new blue leather hassocks presented by the younger members of the Church.
The bowl of the font was a gift from a Church attender who wishes to remain anonynious. and the wooden stand for the howl was given by a well-known personality of the business life in the parish.
A table and a chest of drawers have been kindly given to help in the furnishing of the vestry.
The church was completed in June. 1q62.
The parish school, built in 1836, must of necessity be mentioned with the church, for it is there many activities take place, not only to raise nioney hut to keep together the band of willing workers. During the months of January and February. social evenings and dances are organised by various committees.
Preparations are made weeks in advance for the Whit walks. A rose queen and her attendants have been elected from the scholars who attend the day school, and committee members are busy arranging for the colourful procession which parades through the village, headed by a brass band. It has been said the bandsmen like to play a Birch, they always enjoy a good knife and fork tea.
The crowning of the rose queen, as in previous years, has been held at “The Grange,” by kind permission of Mr. and Mrs. Pedley. The children, as many as 150, are given packed teas and cartons of orange juice on their return to the school.
A large number of people who have witnessed the walks proceed to the school, where high-class teas are served at moderate charges. and later make their way to a neighbouring field to enjoy a programme of popular and classical music provided by the band of the day.
The annual Sunday School outing, arranged by the parents’ committee of the Sunday School, is held on Trinity Monday, and is a function that is always looked forward to by younger members of the Church.
The Harvest Home, which precedes the Harvest Festival, is another memorable time in the village.
A potato-pie supper is served, and as many as 200 people attend this well-organised evening. Dancing in the room upstairs is enjoyed by both young and old.
It must be mentioned that without the help. year after year, by various bodies of people this event would not take place.
The Christmas Fair, which is usually held on the first Saturday in December. is a very big occasion. People save money week by week in the form of coupons sold by responsible members of the Church, and on the day of the fair one has a wide range of goods to choose from. An added attraction to the fair is a visit from Father Christmas, who makes his way to the ever-popular toy stall where he hands out the parcels off the huge decorative Christmas tree.
The ladies’ tea-room committee members excel themselves in the preparation of the turkey teas which are sold at a reasonable charge.
It is gratifying to know that such a large number of people come to Birch to join in these various functions, inde they must bring back nostalgic memories to former residents of the village, and their presence gives great encouragement to the small community of Birch.
A date to remember in the lives of the elderly people in Birch is the Christmas party, organised by Mr. W. Leech (verger and sexton) and his wife, along with many other workers.
Again this function is greatly indebted to the co-operation and generosity of the business people in and around Birch, for nothing is spared to make these well-loved people happy.
Thanks are due also to those persons who willingly volunteer to transport those who due to infirmities and other causes would not otherwise be able to attend.
Grateful acknowledgments to:
Mr. W. Leech, Mr. P. Taylor. and Mr. E. Black
for assisting in compiling this information.
A large number of people who have witnessed the walks proceed to the school, where high-class teas are served at moderate charges. and later make their way to a neighbouring field to enjoy a programme of popular and classical music provided by the band of the day.
The annual Sunday School outing, arranged by the parents’ committee of the Sunday School, is held on Trinity Monday, and is a function that is always looked forward to by younger members of the Church.
The Harvest Home, which precedes the Harvest Festival, is another memorable time in the village.
A potato-pie supper is served, and as many as 200 people attend this well-organised evening. Dancing in the room upstairs is enjoyed by both young and old.
It must be mentioned that without the help. year after year, by various bodies of people this event would not take place.
The Christmas Fair, which is usually held on the first Saturday in December. is a very big occasion. People save money week by week in the form of coupons sold by responsible members of the Church, and on the day of the fair one has a wide range of goods to choose from. An added attraction to the fair is a visit from Father Christmas, who makes his way to the ever-popular toy stall where he hands out the parcels off the huge decorative Christmas tree.
The ladies’ tea-room committee members excel themselves in the preparation of the turkey teas which are sold at a reasonable charge.
It is gratifying to know that such a large number of people come to Birch to join in these various functions, inde they must bring back nostalgic memories to former residents of the village, and their presence gives great encouragement to the small community of Birch.
A date to remember in the lives of the elderly people in Birch is the Christmas party, organised by Mr. W. Leech (verger and sexton) and his wife, along with many other workers.
Again this function is greatly indebted to the co-operation and generosity of the business people in and around Birch, for nothing is spared to make these well-loved people happy.
Thanks are due also to those persons who willingly volunteer to transport those who due to infirmities and other causes would not otherwise be able to attend.
Grateful acknowledgments to:
Mr. W. Leech, Mr. P. Taylor. and Mr. E. Black
for assisting in compiling this information.