Churchyard Tour of St Mary's, Prestwich

Welcome to the historical churchyard of Saint Mary's in Prestwich.

Please take care while visiting the churchyard. The stones can be very slippy and trip hazards await the unsuspecting. Try and stay to the grass as it can provide more grip, and do not visit alone.

Bring a graveyard buddy !

The volunteers do a great job maintaining the churchyard, performing tasks such as gardening, litter picking, weeding, pruning, an even minor stonework and pathway repairs. You can help or just come along for a chat and a brew with the volunteers on Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m., there is even cake !

Now, I've convinced you to volunteer, even if it is only for the cake, let's get started !

The Churchyard gates were taken for the war effort in 1940 and what you see today are modern replacements, apart from the sadly damaged gate piers.

Let's go back further in time. The war memorial cross, of Portland stone on an octagonal base, was unveiled in 1921. It was designed by the architect, Isaac Taylor, as an exact replica of the memorial crosses designed by Sir David Bronifield for the British cemeteries in France. In the same year, a war memorial screen was placed in the Wilton Chapel, the gift of the Mothers of the Fallen, with panels of names around a central image of the Risen Christ, painted by E.W. Tristram.

A plaque in the wall beside the gates commemorates the enclosure of the Churchyard in 1827 just under 200 years ago, but let's go back even further!

The Hearse House and mortuary, now used as storage were built in 1801, but beside the gates stands a mounting block that dates from 1678. That's nearly 340 years ago !

But look up to the tower that The Earl of Derby had built in or about 1500 A.D. , quick maths tells me that's over 600 years ago !

But we could travel even further back in time as the circular boundry of the churchyard still visible today, hints at a much earlier date, maybe over 1000 years ago !

oh, I nearly forgot ! If you find me talking too much, or too fast, then you can use the pause button on the screen to take a break. I won't be offended. We all need to take a break from each other at sometime !

Back to the present day, let's head along the path to the left of the War Memorial and walk toward the south side of the church.

Historically, the South side of a church was the area used for community gatherings, fetes, festivals and celebrations. Hopefully you have found it on a sunny day, and can enjoy the area as the locals did all those hundreds of years ago.

The table tomb nearer the railing is in memory of Mary Diggle, and has a relief carving. It is listed grade two, as a rare example from this era of a monument carved by a female stone mason, Sarah Patefield. Inscribed on the tomb is a lovely verse from Mary's husband.

oh cruel Death that would not spare, Nor yet thy Dart remove. Thus to divide a happy Pair, Whose Days were spent in Love.

Pause to examine the carving and find the inscription of the mason's name.

Near to the railing and at the foot of the large tree sadly peppered with scars from Ash Dieback, is the grave of Julia, wife of Charles Mayne Young, a celebrated stand up and actor of his day.

Julia and Charles met playing Romeo and Juliet on stage, and visited Prestwich whilst working at the New Theatre Royal , in Spring Gardens, Manchester. Julia loved the beauty of this part of the churchyard, which then looked out over farmers fields, and requested that she be buried here. She died within the year, shortly after childbirth. The eulogy, written by Mr. Aston, editor of the Manchester Herald, and carved upon her grave stone:

Such is the ease with them, that wish to paint, In honest verse, devoid of flattery’s leaven. Her, who is now - so pure she was - a saint Unchanged an Angel - Julia still in Heaven.

Across the pathway stands a chest tomb with iron plaques on it.

It is barely readable now, but the rust hised the name of Lawrence Fort, business partner of Richard Cob den of the Free Trade and Anti Corn Law League. Lawrence died after being found collapsed at home with cuts to his neck, and was rumoured to haunt the ruins of his home, Sedgeley Hall, which was destroyed in a fire.

Please be careful of the substantial drop at the boundary wall.

With your back to the chest tomb head towards the church.

The listed stone baluster sundial, although of earlier date, was placed in the Churchyard in 1806. Sadly,the gnomon and dial plate are missing. The Southern porch was the main entrance to the Church until 1895 when the North porch was built. As you can read above the porch, this was rebuilt in 1756.

Head towards the taller monuments, keeping the silver birch with seven trunks to your right.

Remember to keep off the slippery grave slabs !

Head towards a low pink marble tomb that will appear in the distance.

Be careful as you go! The ground is very uneven and has some drops which will catch out the unwarey.

This area of the churchyard reflects the changing nature of Prestwich and the Church in the 19th Century as the former rural and craft-based economy gave way to the wealth of the industrial revolution.

At the corner of the pink tomb, lies the sloping grave slab of William Sturgeon, simply described on the stone as "The Electrician". William invented the electro magnet which led to many aspects of modern life such as starter motors, washing machines, MRI scanners and hi-fi speakers. Technology which allows you to listen to me today. Sadly William died a pauper.

Beyond the pink tomb is a grey tomb in the shape of an anvil, and the grave of another inventor, and Engineer, Sir William Fair bairen. He worked on the Conway and Mennai Straits bridges with Robert Stephenson as well as building the first steel hulled ship. His funeral procession, set off from Ardwick and is claimed to have been witnessed by 50,000 people.

This tall monument to the west of the Church Tower is the Brooks memorial, and is listed grade 2 star. It is made from Sicilian marble and Aberdeen granite. John Brooks was Secretary to the Anti-Corn Law league. The monument, was designed by John Thomas, who also worked on Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and the Houses of Parliament. One of the four statues, Charity (which faces the church) was exhibited at the Great Exhibition in 1851. The other 3 statues are Integrity, Commerce and Industry, but I will leave you to decide which is which !

Face the church tower, that birch tree with seven white trunks should still be on your right.

To your left now, are three trees showing where the old circular boundary would have been, you need to head over to the second of those trees on your left.

At the foot of a tree lies the grave of the artist, Henry Wyatt, a pupil of Sir Thomas Lawrence (President of the Royal Academy, who painted George the fourth & Wellington). Henry was nephew of Francis, Egington, a leading figure in the revival of English stained glass making in the late 19th century. In 1794, Egington was commissioned by Sir Thomas Egerton to paint his coats of arms on the glass of the East window of the family's chapel in St Mary's, the glass is sadly now lost. Henry was highly regarded as a portrait painter at the time of his death whilst working in the area in 1840, having painted the Duke of Well ington and the Duke of York (the son of George the third). His grave-slab is inscribed with his name in deeply incised letters and a small verse.

Alas my Brother. But now he is dead. Wherefore should I weep? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

From here head to the right of the Western door of the church tower, where there are steps down to a boiler.

The 12 stones stand in memory of 12 soldiers who died during, or shortly after World War One. They died in Prestwich, Hospital, and actually lie in unmarked graves elsewhere in the churchyard. All but two died after the armistice of 19 18. The churchyard contains 48 Commonwealth burials, a further 27 lie in St Margaret's Churchyard, and a further 11 in the Jewish Cemetery at Rainser. There are also a further 72 family memorials, mentioning the fallen loved ones of both world wars here in St Mary's Churchyard. Each receives a wooden poppy every November. Keep an eye out for more poppies during your visit today.

you can read more about the fallen service men and women at prestwich.org.uk/remembers

Paws, a while beside the soldiers memorials, before we carry on with the tour, when ready, head towards the tree line keeping the houses on your right.

A six legged table tomb, marks the resting place of John Horsefield. He was a hand loom weaver from Whitefield, who as well as being president of the Prestwich Botanical Society, propagated a new variety of daffodil, Narcissus Horsefieldii. Bulbs have been planted around his grave. The poem as epitaph for Horsefield was penned by The Manchester Poet, Charles Swain and resulted in the grave being listed grade two.

Ye who behold God's works in Nature's ways, And find in flowers mute anthems to His praise. Who read the volume of eternal love, In seeds of earth as in the stars above. Here read a name whose fame shall long endure, One of poor birth, but Gifted although poor. God – unlike man – the humblest spirit lifts, Nor asks his wealth before He sends His gifts! Where'er Botanic science could be learn'd, New links disclosed – new species yet discerned. Where'er by wood or lane or heath or hill, God op'ed the book that taught Botanic skill. There HORSEFIELD's foot from dawn to eve was seen, to learn – to teach – to be what he has been. An honour to the soil that gave him birth. Oh, may that spirit for whose loss we grieve, Our God accept – our Saviour Lord receive.

Next to Horsefield lies James Percival, who lived at Hope Square, near where the Friendship Inn now stands. He became president of the Lancashire Botanical Society and his grave is inscribed "He had no favourite flower but loved them all". The grave of Richard Buxton, a third Natualist can be seen in the lower section below the slope.

Head South along the tree line, keeping the slope to your right.

The listed Venetian Gothic Chest Tomb belongs to John Slagg, born in Prestwich 18 08, merchant, justice of the peace, and friend of John Cobden of the Anti-Corn Law League. It was designed by Alfred Waterhouse in 1863. Waterhouse is best known for his design of Manchester Town Hall and the Natural History Museum in London.

Take the path down the slope to your right heading away from the church.

The western doorway was once used after the marriage of Lady Elizabeth Gray Egerton, eldest daughter of the Earl of Wilton. Elizabeth married the 23rd Baron de Ros, with a floral arch around the doorway,an Ox roast on Butterstile Hill for the poor, stands erected for the crowds along church lane, and a 21 gun salute.

Keep the tower on your right and walk along the pathway to the North of the tower and if you keep an eye out, you will cross the River Jordan, without getting your feet wet.

Head over the grass, to a modern grey slate memorial commemorating patients of Prestwich Hospital, who were placed in unmarked graves in this churchyard from 1851 onwards. The church holds a special service every year, during which they read aloud over 5,300 names of the patients.

From here, head towards the group of 12 grey Commonwealth Wargrave headstones, keeping the houses to your right.

As you head down the path, with the church behind you, immediately to your right, down a steep drop lies the grave of Edward Thorpe, with a pair of crossed swords carved on the stone. Edward served in the 7th Dragoon Guards and was a veteran of the Egyptian Campaign of 18 82, taking part in a cavalry attack called the Moonlight Charge. This section was bought, levelled and consecrated about 18 64. Richard Buxton, a third Natualist is found further alogn the same row close to his fellow botanists Percival and Hosrsefield. Richard was a clog maker, born at Sedgeley Hall Farm, and was the author of The Manchester Botanical Guide which he published in 1849.

If you take a slight detour to the left of the pathway, down a small number of steps opposite the grave of Edward Thorpe, you will find the grave of The Manchester Poet Charles Swain. Be very careful of the slippery stones under foot, Charles is found 8 graves along on the right. Return to the sloping pathway and carry on down the path towards the houses on Clough Drive, or turn left, before you enter the trees, if you prefer to stay in the sun!

The Blind Boy dying by Charles Swain Mother — Sister — are ye near me? I awake with closed eyes; Eyes still dark — but let me hear ye — Bless the blind boy, ere he dies! Is the snow-drop come? dear mother, Oh! I thought at its last birth I should never hold another Snow-drop in my hand on earth!

Something ever in its springing Seemed my very heart to touch; June, with all its roses bringing, Never made me weep so much! 'Twas a sympathy, a feeling I could scarcely understand; When I've felt the tear-drop stealing O'er the snow-drop in my hand.

So, when I am dead, dear Mother, When your poor blind boy is gone; Let the snow-drop, and no other, Rest his little shroud upon. It shall go with me to heaven — It shall bloom at Jesu's feet — And, when God my sight hath given, It my vision first shall meet.

Weep not, mother! — Though I'm weeping, There's no sorrow in my tears. Should I mourn to wake from sleeping In those sight-restoring spheres? Yet I love — so love — that blindness, Sweet is here, as sight above! Seraphs cannot show thy kindness, Angels cannot match thy love.

No: there is but one — one mother; Earth but one such heart can find; And I know thou'lt love no other As thou lov'st thine own — thy blind! And I know each Sabbath morning Thou my grave wilt bend before, With some flower its stone adorning, Though I ne'er can thank thee more.

On the right you may spot two poppies on the family memorial to two brothers lost in world war 1. In the distance to your right is a rare example of a tomb that managed to keep it's metal railings from being removed for World War 2. The tomb is that of three nieces and one nephew of Edward Fitzgerald, famed for his translation of Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam in 1859.

Keep going along the path towards the trees.

On your left is the other end of the same row that contained the grave of poet Charles Swain. Enter this row but be very careful of the slippery stones under foot. To the right is a grey obelisk to John Heywood, brother and business partner of Abel Heywood. Both lads were born in Prestwich, they ran a printers in Manchester and Abel was twice Mayor of Manchester, with the bell in Manchester Town hall named after him.

Next to the obelisk is the pink granite tomb to Charles Lamb, cabinet maker. His trade mark flower symbol adorns his tomb as it does his well sought after cabinets.

Turn your back on Lamb and you will see a red Obelisk marking the grave of Lawrence St John Beaufort, the first Post Master of Manchester, who lived at the Roost on Rectory Lane. Head back towards the path and follow it alongside the boundary wall.

On the right just after the gateway, is another large Keltic cross, and at it's base is recorded the loss of Captain John Summerscales Hutchinson, of the South Lancashire Regiment, who died in France on August 25th 19 14. John has the unwanted accolade of being the first fatality of the first world war, to come from Prestwich Village.

We hope you have enjoyed your visit today, maybe take that rest on the bench you were thinking about, or the more adventurous can take a stroll back down, and into Prestwich Clough and beyond, to the Irwell Valley.

Or maybe head up towards the church gates and have refreshment at the Church Inn, which will have served many of the people you have heard about today during it's own 350 year history. They also have some historical items on display.

You can learn more about the social history and the people of Prestwich at people.prestwich.org.uk.

Or you can help out on Tuesdays, and don't forget, there's cake too!

This tour is provided free of charge, if you would like to donate towards the funding of the Churchyard Action Group volunteers who maintain this churchyard, but sometimes need to pay for the professional services of stone masons, visit donate.prestwich.org.uk

Have a Safe journey home! and be careful of those slippery stones ! they aren't done with you just yet !