Now I am back with Mr Banks that remarkable photographer.
He was one of those self made Victorians who rose from humble beginnings to become a celebrated photographer capping his career with that seal of official approval which comes from the title “By Royal Appointment.”
He has caught my interest ever since my friend Sally began posting his photographs of Manchester in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
From 1873 and into the next century he recorded the great events of the city, along with the everyday life on the streets and portraits of the good and worthy of Manchester.
But here is one of those pictures he took of Saddleworth where he had his first studio.
The studio dated from 1867 and this picture of St Chad’s from around 1880.
Now I don’t often do a then and now but I couldn’t resist in this case.
So here is his picture which appeared on photographs he sold and the church as it is now courtesy of Saddleworth Churches.*
And because the pictures deserve a bit more here is the story of the church.
"There has been a place of Christian worship on the Parish Church site since 1215 AD, when the first Saddleworth Church was established as a chapel of ease as part of the Rochdale Parish, but in time became the possession of Whalley Abbey.
Under the suppression of the churches by Henry VIII, the Abbey had to submit Quick Chapel€™, as it was then called, to the jurisdiction of Rochdale and more recently in 1866, patronage was transferred to the Bishop of Manchester.
The current grade 2* listed re-build, which stands in it’s own conservation area, is late Georgian.
The interior, which includes the original gallery, has a pleasant warmth to it emanating a surprising light and colour.
The stained glass tells the tale of the wildness of the weather in this area and the church does possess a fine Capronier depiction of the Visit of the Magi.
How to find us: Saddleworth St Chad Church, Church Road, Uppermill, Oldham OL3 6LW"
So there you have it a little bit more on Mr Banks and the story of the church he snapped.
Pictures; St Chad’s circa 1880s, Robert Banks, courtesy of Saddleworth Museum, http://www.saddleworthmuseum.co.uk/ and St Chad’s today courtesy of Saddleworth Churches, http://saddleworthteam-cofe.org.uk/contact/
*Saddleworth Churches, http://saddleworthteam-cofe.org.uk/contact/
 |
| Selling a photograph circa 1880 |
He has caught my interest ever since my friend Sally began posting his photographs of Manchester in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
From 1873 and into the next century he recorded the great events of the city, along with the everyday life on the streets and portraits of the good and worthy of Manchester.
But here is one of those pictures he took of Saddleworth where he had his first studio.
The studio dated from 1867 and this picture of St Chad’s from around 1880.
 |
| St Chad's today |
So here is his picture which appeared on photographs he sold and the church as it is now courtesy of Saddleworth Churches.*
And because the pictures deserve a bit more here is the story of the church.
"There has been a place of Christian worship on the Parish Church site since 1215 AD, when the first Saddleworth Church was established as a chapel of ease as part of the Rochdale Parish, but in time became the possession of Whalley Abbey.
 |
| St Chad's in the 1880s |
The current grade 2* listed re-build, which stands in it’s own conservation area, is late Georgian.
The interior, which includes the original gallery, has a pleasant warmth to it emanating a surprising light and colour.
The stained glass tells the tale of the wildness of the weather in this area and the church does possess a fine Capronier depiction of the Visit of the Magi.
How to find us: Saddleworth St Chad Church, Church Road, Uppermill, Oldham OL3 6LW"
So there you have it a little bit more on Mr Banks and the story of the church he snapped.
Pictures; St Chad’s circa 1880s, Robert Banks, courtesy of Saddleworth Museum, http://www.saddleworthmuseum.co.uk/ and St Chad’s today courtesy of Saddleworth Churches, http://saddleworthteam-cofe.org.uk/contact/
*Saddleworth Churches, http://saddleworthteam-cofe.org.uk/contact/
