A HISTORIC Denton church has been restored after a six-figure sum was invested by those replacing a nearby motorway bridge.
The Grade I-listed St Anne’s Church in Denton, has undergone important improvements to safety and public access, as well as benefited from conservation work thanks to a partnership between National Highways and Historic England.
The former provided more than £220,000 as it works on the neighbouring bridge over the M67 motorway.
And as a result, the church – built in the early 1880s and consecrated on July 29, 1882 – has now been removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register.
Church of St Anne, St Anne’s Drive, Haughton, Denton, Greater Manchester.
Exterior, view from drone from south west..
Credit National Highways and Alun Bull
National Highways Project Manager, Betty Wilson, said: “We’re delighted to be working with St Anne’s Church and Historic England to improve safety and support and preserve Manchester’s heritage.
“In 2021, there were concerns raised by the Diocese of Manchester about the interior brickwork cracking and settlement cracks around the base of the font.
“Unfortunately, the church was becoming unsafe for the large community who use it, including St Anne’s Primary School across the road.
“We’re so pleased we could provide funding to support the restoration of this important building, a piece of the area’s fascinating history.”
Historic England added St Anne’s Church to the Heritage at Risk Register in April 2022 following concern about settlement around the font and central nave walkway because of vibrations from the M67.
To protect the structure and develop a scheme to make it safe and accessible, National Highways awarded three grants totalling £223,301 for feasibility, design and construction.
Church of St Anne, St Anne’s Drive, Haughton, Denton, Greater Manchester.
Interior, detail of conserved font and mosaic tiles after Highway Agency work to the south of the church. Featuring Father Jules Mambu next to the font. View from east. Credit National Highways and Alun Bull
Between May and September last year, contractors set to work, stabilising the foundations of the ground conditions by injecting a levelling screed, a technique also used to level airport runways.
Engineers re-levelled the west end church font and supporting steps and provided joint re-enforcement across various settlement cracks to the masonry walls.
Repairs were also made to the wooden lychgate at the entrance of the churchyard.
And the outcome has been huge for Father Jules Mambu, who said: “National Highways’ grant will have a huge impact for both the church and the local community.
Church of St Anne, St Anne’s Drive, Haughton, Denton, Greater Manchester.
Interior, detail of mosaic tiles on wall to the north west of the font after Highway Agency work to the south of the church. Credit National Highways and Alun Bull
“We really appreciate the generosity and the commitment for helping us to achieve our goals.”
Peter Barlow, Architect with Historic England, added: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Father Jules and National Highways to restore this magnificent building.
“St Anne’s is such a landmark both for the local community and for passing travellers.
“The specialist heritage skills that have been employed here, including the repair of the intricate terracotta tiles and the gilded wall mosaics have produced first class results.”