Church Of Saint Aidan

ROCHDALE

335/6/75 MANCHESTER ROAD 12-FEB-1985 CHURCH OF SAINT AIDAN

II*

Church. 1913-5. By Temple Moore. Random rubble with clay tile and slate roofs. Nave and north aisle under one roof; south aisle roofed separatedly with a double pitch; central west tower, higher chancel with chapels to north and south with clerestory and triforium. South elevation: 4-bay aisle has rough quoins, coped eaves parapet, continuous sill moulding and alternating 1 and 2-light lancet window openings. Lean-to porch to west with pointed arch. The 2-bay chapel which is otherwise continuous is separated by a projecting square castellated stair turret with external semi-octagonal stone pulpit on heavy bracket, and small stair lights. Priests door to chapel. The tower has a stair turret in the form of a heavy buttress, a west doorway with three lancet openings above, 2-light openings with plate tracery and hoodmoulds to the bell stage and bold castellations. The north aisle roof sweeps down to meet C20 school buildings; the chancel clerestory has paired lancets; the east window has 3 lancets under a semi-circular hoodmould which continues over 2 small side lancets; the gable is flanked by heavy weathered buttresses. INTERIOR: unmoulded nave arches are supported on heavy square piers those which carry the tower being massive. The chancel triforium has pointed arches to the north and round arches to the south. East window and reredos both designed by Temple Moore. This is a significant architectural creation by one of the leading architects of the period. Brandwood GK, Temple Moore, 1997, pp.103-4.