The Holy Name of Jesus, Manchester

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The Church of the Holy Name of Jesus is located on Oxford Road in the heart of Manchester University’s campus in Manchester, England. It was built between 1869 and 1871 and designed by Joseph Aloysius Hansom (now best remembered for his design of the famous London Cab). Although originally designed to house a broad high steeple, in 1928 a tower was built to offset the square design. The building is a Grade I listed building, and was granted this on 5th April 1989, being upgraded from a Grade II* listed building, which was granted on 18th December 1963.^[1]

1 The Jesuits
2 The Building
3 Latin Mass
4 Jesuits' departure
5 The Smiths
6 See also
7 References

[edit] The Jesuits

In the sixteenth century, St Ignatius of Loyola founded an order called the Society of Jesus or Jesuits. Their work in post-Reformation Britain, who acted secretly in aiding secret Catholics taking part in the Latin Rite mass, made membership of the Jesuit order illegal.

Even in Catholic countries like France and Portugal, they faced state repression. The Catholic Emancipation Act (1829) did not repeal the status of Jesuits in The United Kingdom, however no legal proceedings have been brought against them.

In 1860, the Bishop of The Diocese of Salford, invited the Jesuits to take home in Manchester. Manchester was home to a large and ever growing population of Irish Immigrants, lured by cotton manufacturing and the Irish potato famine. In the area of little Ireland (a stretch of low grade amenity terraces built to serve the Urban Poor), perceived Un-Godliness was a growing trend. The Parish of St Mary’s were unable to cope, in the previous 20 years, 13 priests had succumbed to Typhus, whilst working amongst the city’s poor.

The Jesuits had a formidable record of outreach and missionary work. To try to combat the spread of bells and smells Anglo-Catholicism, Catholic Bishops throughout the UK sought help from the Jesuits.

[edit] The Building

The Holy Name church was never constructed as a parish church, parishes in Longsight and Chorlton-on-Medlock lying in between. But the construction of the building re-inforced the power of the Jesuit order. It’s dimensions are on the scale of a fourteenth century cathedral and the architect Joseph Aloysius Hansom based the building on Frankish gothic styles of France. Pevsner described it as ”… a design of the very highest quality and of an originality nowhere demonstrative…….Hansom never again did so marvellous a church.” Although built in brick it was clad in brushed Warwick stone. Hansom’s original design originally called for a broad steeple 73 feet high. The steeple was never competed. However, in 1928 a tower was built, designed by Adrian Gilbert Scott. The church structure itself is sixty years older than the tower, and the stonework doesn’t match, one part looking much fresher than the other.

The interior resembles that of a mediaeval Cathedral; it is 186 feet east to west and 112 feet wide. From floor to roof, it is 100 feet. Small chapels adorn the left hand side, along with the baptistery.

[edit] Latin Mass

The Second Vatican Council gave Bishops the right for services to be held in the common tongue of their diocese. Previously all services had been held in Latin according to the Latin Rite. The Priest had his back to the congregation throughout most of the service and the mysteries of the mass were concealed from the congregation. After Vatican II, service could be said in English with the Priest beholding the mysteries to the congregation. The Holy Name church is one of few churches that still offer Masses in Latin, and these are well attended, despite the church not being a parish.

[edit] Jesuits' departure

The Society of Jesus formally handed over the running of The Holy Name church in 1992 to the Diocese of Salford. Congregations were small, upkeep costs were larger than donations and it was better to concentrate the Society’s work on needs of The Church internationally.

[edit] The Smiths

Manchester popular music band The Smiths used The Holy Name church in one of the lyrics to Vicar in a Tutu. ”I was lifting some lead from the roof of The Holy Name church.”