St Mark's

Background information
In 1981 the consultation draft of the city council's Local Plan for Worsley and Boothstown identified land to the south of Mill Brow, known as Worsley Horseshoe, as being suitable for an hotel development. It was stressed however, that any proposal for this site would need to be to a high standard of design and involve the retention of the existing woodland.

Following the submission of an outline planning application for the hotel development concern was expressed that the proposal would adversely affect the setting of St Mark’s Church, a Grade II* listed building.  Accordingly, the decision was taken to designate a Conservation Area comprising Worsley Horseshoe, St Mark’s Church and the adjacent vicarage.

St Mark’s Church, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, was built in 1846, and is Gothic revival in a 14th century style.

Built of snecked stone with slate and copper roofs, the nave has clerestory lights, aisles and west tower; chancel, side chapel, vestry and organ chamber. The body of the church has decorated piers and double-chamfered nave arcade with hoodmoulds and head stops. The roof is supported from hammer-beam roof trusses. Timberwork includes the font, stalls, pews, sedilia canopy, organ chamber and a heavily carved pulpit which includes sixteenth and seventeenth century figurative panels from various continental sources incorporated into a design by Douglas. There is a monument of a recumbent effigy of Francis Egerton, on a tomb chest, by Scott dated 1857.

The church enjoys an elevated position above Worsley.

This page was last updated on 4 October 2009