This the last of six picture postcards of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, marketed by Rapid Art Photography Company, sometime in the 1930s.
And of the six, this is the only one I have seen before.
The other five were all of familiar landmarks but taken from unusual angles, making them just that bit different.*
But this one of St Werburgh’s pretty much conforms to your standard image.
The foundation stone for the church was laid in 1899, and it opened three years later, and in the words of one of our historians was “to fulfil the spiritual needs of the people who had come to live in the new house built near Chorlton Station and Alexandra Park Station on the Fallowfield Line”.**
The full story of the church and all the other places of worship across Chorlton and West Didsbury can be found in Chorlton-cum-Hardy Churches, Chapels, Temples, A Synagogue And A Mosque.***
Which just leaves me to return to the choice of the six images for the picture postcards. One was of Chorlton Park, a second was of Hough End Hall, and third looked out across Chorlton Golf course, leaving two of the River Mersey and Jackson’s Boat and this one of the church.
There is no logical theme underlying the choice, and while some fit together by virtue of their proximity to each other, St Werburgh’s sits alone.
Perhaps they were a random choice made by someone sitting in the headquarters in London or the favourites of the photographer, but what ever the reason for the selection they are different from the usual set of Chorlton images.
And that is it. I thank Jennie Brooks for finding the six and Michael Billington for emailing them over to me.
Location; Chorlton-cum-Hardy
Picture; St Werburgh’s Church, circa 1930s, courtesy of Jennie Brooks
* Chorlton Pictures the unseen 6, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Chorlton%20Pictures%20the%20unseen%206
**Templar, Nora, Chorlton-cum-Hardy Fellowship of Churches, 1988, page 12
*** Chorlton-cum-Hardy Churches, Chapels, Temples, A Synagogue And A Mosque, Andrew Simpson & Peter Topping, 2018
The other five were all of familiar landmarks but taken from unusual angles, making them just that bit different.*
But this one of St Werburgh’s pretty much conforms to your standard image.
The foundation stone for the church was laid in 1899, and it opened three years later, and in the words of one of our historians was “to fulfil the spiritual needs of the people who had come to live in the new house built near Chorlton Station and Alexandra Park Station on the Fallowfield Line”.**
Which just leaves me to return to the choice of the six images for the picture postcards. One was of Chorlton Park, a second was of Hough End Hall, and third looked out across Chorlton Golf course, leaving two of the River Mersey and Jackson’s Boat and this one of the church.
There is no logical theme underlying the choice, and while some fit together by virtue of their proximity to each other, St Werburgh’s sits alone.
Perhaps they were a random choice made by someone sitting in the headquarters in London or the favourites of the photographer, but what ever the reason for the selection they are different from the usual set of Chorlton images.
Location; Chorlton-cum-Hardy
Picture; St Werburgh’s Church, circa 1930s, courtesy of Jennie Brooks
* Chorlton Pictures the unseen 6, https://chorltonhistory.blogspot.com/search/label/Chorlton%20Pictures%20the%20unseen%206
**Templar, Nora, Chorlton-cum-Hardy Fellowship of Churches, 1988, page 12
*** Chorlton-cum-Hardy Churches, Chapels, Temples, A Synagogue And A Mosque, Andrew Simpson & Peter Topping, 2018
You have made a lovely presentation of these postcards Andrew. Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly, the youth club was next door, used to walk past the church, to go to the cricket club, swmcc.
ReplyDelete