A church which is being shook to its foundations by motorway traffic has been placed on an at risk register. The Grade I Parish Church of St Anne in Denton dates from 1880 and is a Victorian gothic architectural gem.
It's stunning interior "projects creativity, individulaity, and opulence" according to Historic England, and is rich in fine craftmanship in glass, iron, stone, and ceramics. But the never ending hum of the nearby M67 is putting its future in jeopardy.
Designed by one of the era’s leading architectural practices, James Medland and Henry Taylor, the church has recently been added to the Heritage at Risk Register following concern about settlement around the font and central nave walkway due to vibrations from the motorway.
National Highways has provided a grant for the investigation of the settlement, working alongside the church architect and parish priest Father Jules Mambu. Investigations were undertaken in Spring 2022 which have confirmed the extent of settlement affecting the building. Further grants will be needed to prevent further damage and restore the church.
St Anne's is a thriving centre for the local community with an active bell ringing team, close links to the neighbouring St Anne’s Primary School and Scouts, Brownies, Cubs and Beavers groups having regular use of the church’s facilities. Under Father Mambu’s leadership, St Anne’s hosts Heritage Open Days with self-guided walks.
Father Mambu said: “St Anne’s is a special place of worship at the very heart of the community. It’s evident that our church is going to take a lot of care, skill and funding if it’s going to be secure for the long term, but we have real desire and deep determination to make this happen.”
Bruce Parker, National Highways' Head of Planning and Development in the North West, said: “St Anne’s Church is an important heritage asset adjacent to our network. Should the Church become impossible to maintain, the views of the Church from our road network would be lost forever.
“As part of our Designated Funds initiative in partnership with Historic England, we are making a financial investment to help restore and maintain the Church structurally and keep an important part of our heritage.”
The Church is one of ten historic buildings in the North West that have been added to Historic England's annual at risk register which gives a snapshot of the critical health of England’s most valued historic places and those most at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
The ten have been added because of their deteriorating condition but during the last 12 months ten other sites have been saved and their futures secured. Many have been rescued thanks to heritage partners and dedicated teams of volunteers, community groups, charities, owners and councils, working together with Historic England.
Examples of those saved include Bank Hall in Chorley, last used by the British Army during the Second World War and now restored to its former glory; Moot Hall, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria; and the Church of Saints Peter, Paul and St Philomena, New Brighton, Wirral known as the “Dome of Home”, sought out by sailors returning from perilous Atlantic voyages.
Direct funding from Historic England has unlocked funding from other sources, including investment from the private sector, using heritage to regenerate and level-up areas. Over the past year, Historic England awarded £920,000 in repair grants to 16 historic places and sites, including conservation areas, in the North West on the Heritage at Risk Register. In addition, £340,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund was spent on three entries in the region.
Other new editions to the at risk register include Christ Church, Kensington, Livewrpool, built in the Italian Romanesque style where the roof is leaking badly; and World of Glass, St Helens, which is of prime importance in the historical development of the technology of glass making, now affected by ground movement.
Trevor Mitchell, Regional Ditector of the North at Historic England, said: “The historic buildings and places we are helping to save bring people together and inspire deep pride and a sense of belonging. This year’s successes are testament to the tireless work of owners, custodians and local volunteers taking action to bring historic places back to life and help to level-up communities across the North West.”
The Heritage at Risk Register for the North West has 113 buildings or structures (Grade I and II* listed buildings and structural scheduled monuments); 137 places of worship; 82 archeology entries (non-structural scheduled monuments) eight parks; and 70 conservation areas.
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