Church Heritage Record 624174

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Newall Green: St Francis of Assisi

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

Newall Green: St Francis of Assisi
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Closed Church
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

624174
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

Manchester
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Manchester
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Saint Martin with Saint Francis, Wythenshawe

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is not a Listed Building
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

Modern

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 624174 Newall Green St Francis
Caption:

603242 

Exterior image of 624174 Newall Green St Francis
Description:

It seems to be the wrong photograph. Provided coordinates come up with another church on geograph.org.uk

Photograph of the outside of the church, as seen from the south west.
Year / Date:

2011, April 06

December 2009
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

Archbishops' Council
Originator:

Keltek Trust

Joseph Elders

Summary Description

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church of St Francis was designed in 1960-1 by Sir Basil Spence (1907-1976). This is a typical Spence design, combining utility with intelligent and minimalist use of Modernist features to produce a building of modest quality which manages to make a statement in the townscape. The tall tower cross can be seen from some distance, and is echoed by a smaller cross built into a wooden grille in the west wall, projecting above the flat roof.

Visiting and Facilities

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church is closed for worship.
Date closed for worship:
Work in progress - can you help?
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

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Sources and Further Information

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Joseph Elders (December 2009) Exterior image of 624174 Newall Green St Francis [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 624174 Newall Green St Francis
Joseph Elders (December 2009) Interior image of 624174 Newall Green St Francis [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Interior image of 624174 Newall Green St Francis
James Miles (2018) Closed Churches [Digital Archive/Data]

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SJ 811 876

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

Metropolitan District:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

Manchester District (B)

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

This distinctive cubic 1960s church of brick stands on the corner of winding Greenbrow Road and a minor side road in the middle of the Newall Green housing estate, part of the large Post-War development of Wythenshawe to the south-west of Manchester. It is one of several new churches commissioned by the Diocese between 1930 and 1970 for the expanding new town.

The curtilage is not defined, but consists mainly of a small grassed area to the west of the church, not used for burial. Here stands a tall right-angle of brick supporting a steel cross forming the third side, announcing the church from some distance. The cross has three equal arms, the upper of which projects above.  There is a small public park with playground on the north side, and a large plain white-painted block, the church hall, built onto the south side of the church, a Millennium Project. Parking is only possible on the verge of the road here.

The surrounding area is residential with a mix of blocks of flats and houses, there are schools and a hospital nearby. Junction 4 of the M56 is less than 1/2 mile to the west. 1 mile to the north west is Wythenshawe Hall which lent its name to the sprawling township which now surrounds it, though the smaller Baguley Hall is a little closer and older.

Church Plan

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Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

A rectangle, long vestry block coming off south from the west end and projecting west chapel. Church hall and lobby on the south side.

Dimensions

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Main church space 24m (80ft) x 12m.

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

Work in progress - can you help?

Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

Wythenshawe remained a farming community until the 1920s, with a few scattered farms and halls. Nearby Baguley Hall is listed Grade I and a Scheduled Monument.  Built in the 14th century on an older site, it is one of the oldest great timber halls surviving in England, and now owned by English Heritage. The Medieval parish church of Northenden St Wilfrid, mentioned in Domesday, is 2 miles north-west. The archaeological potential of the site is low, but the County Archaeologist and Historic Environment Record should be consulted if development of the site is considered.

The Tatton estate based at Wythenshawe Hall (Grade II*, built c 1540 but much altered) was bought by the Corporation in 1926, and plans were formulated under the leadership of the professional garden city planner, Barry Parker.

Wythenshawe was in Cheshire until the 1920s, when it was transferred to Lancashire and the Diocese of Manchester. The Diocese commissioned several noted architects including Cachemaille-Day and George Dance for the new churches built to serve these growing communities, the often daring designs contrasting sharply with the generally conservative styles of the surrounding housing.

The church of St Francis was designed in 1960-1 by Sir Basil Spence (1907-1976). A watercolour of his design is held by the church.  An apprentice of Lutyens, Spence is most famous for his radical designs for the new Coventry Cathedral, but he was involved in a variety of high-profile architectural projects, including the University of Sussex, Hyde Park Cavalry Barracks, and the British Embassy in Rome.

Exterior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

This is a typical Spence design, combining utility with intelligent and minimalist use of Modernist features to produce a building of modest quality which manages to make a statement in the townscape. The tall tower cross can be seen from some distance, and is echoed by a smaller cross built into a wooden grille in the west wall, projecting above the flat roof. The square facade has a section missing from the north corner, the whitewashed cubic chapel standing forward of this. The original entrance is recessed behind a window with grille. A low vestry block stretches south from the main facade.

From the north the church presents a blank facade with the exception of long slit windows to light the west gallery and triangular projections with slit windows near the east end. The east facade itself is also blank. The south facade is now obscured by the new church hall, which mirrors the style of the chapel. There is Beyer-esque lettering around the eaves, with the motto 'recreate space to meet'. A new porch and lobby has also been added at the west end of this.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

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Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

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Collapse Building Fabric and FeaturesBuilding Fabric and Features
CHAPEL (COMPONENT) (20th century)
CHURCH (20th century)
CHURCH HALL (20th century)
VESTRY (20th century)

Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

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Collapse Building MaterialsBuilding Materials
BRICK (20th century)
CONCRETE (20th century)
PORTLAND STONE (20th century)
STEEL (20th century)

Interior Image

Interior image of 624174 Newall Green St Francis
Caption:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Interior image of 624174 Newall Green St Francis
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Photograph showing the inside of the church, looking east, taken from the gallery.
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
December 2009
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Archbishops' Council
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Joseph Elders

Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

The church has toilets and a kitchen in the vestibule and hall. The interior is a fine space, a broad, tall nave and chancel in one, the triangular glazed projections in the chancel side walls throwing light onto the pedestal altar. This is raised slightly on a concrete dias and has a concrete stem and oak mensa. Behind this is the huge mural of St Francis, black on white but not harsh. The walls are whitewashed with a lighter shade dado with rail. Quarry tiled floors in the nave and concrete flags to the sanctuary around the dias.

The furnishings and fittings are very simple but attractive, with plain angular wooden benches with square ends and box-like pulpit and lectern. The font is a concrete tube with a wooden disc cover, carved lettering by Ralph Beyer. The original Rushworth & Dreaper 2-manual organ is in the west gallery, a good instrument. Accessible through the lobby under the gallery is the west chapel, originally designated for weekday services. It is whitewashed inside and out, and has slit windows flanking the altar, with some stained glass depicting St Francis and Christ with Bishop's crook.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

Work in progress - can you help?

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

Work in progress - can you help?

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: SJ 811 876

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

Work in progress - can you help?

Ecological Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

The church has no evidence of bats

Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
It is unknown whether the churchyard is closed for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Closed Church.

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Closed Church

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

Work in progress - can you help?

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

Low
Setting Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church has some landscape value.
Fabric Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Moderate
Fabric Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
A church by a major architect of a radical and progressive design for its time, with some architectural significance.
Interior Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Low
Interior Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The furnishings and fittings are mostly integral to the church and are of local significance as a set.
Community Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Low
Community Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
2 other churches within a 2 mile radius.

Church Renewables

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Open the map of church renewable installations
Solar PV Panels:

This information forms part of the Shrinking the Footprint project.

No
Solar Thermal Panels:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Bio Mass:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Air Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Ground Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Wind Turbine:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
EV Car Charging:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Unknown

Species Summary

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Closed Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

CategoryTotal species recorded to date
TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED 0
Total number of animal species 0
Total number of plant species 0
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 0
Total number of amphibian and reptile species 0
Total number of invertebrate species 0
Total number of fungi species 0
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 0
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 0
Total number of Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0

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 of 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

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Closed Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Closed Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Closed Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Closed Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Closed Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

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WhoActionWhen
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 01 Sep 2022 14:24:53
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 01 Sep 2022 14:24:21
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Significance descriptionWed 03 May 2017 10:40:37
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionWed 03 May 2017 10:35:17
Anna CampenAdded image of the interior of the buildingWed 03 May 2017 10:29:00
Anna CampenModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionWed 03 May 2017 10:27:08
Anna CampenAdded building material typeWed 03 May 2017 10:19:37
Anna CampenAdded building material typeWed 03 May 2017 10:18:06
Anna CampenAdded building material typeWed 03 May 2017 10:17:52
Anna CampenAdded building material typeWed 03 May 2017 10:17:35
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