St Mary the Virgin
Eccles, Greater Manchester
St Mary's has stood here for at least 800 years.
The church, which replaced a chapel built around 1830, was added on to the pre-existing de Trafford Chantry. This is situated towards the northeast of the church.
Pevsner called All Saints, ‘Pugin’s masterwork’. The church is listed as grade I and is considered to be the chief work of the architect Edward Welby Pugin. It is a remarkably complete example of Victorian Catholic church architecture in the Gothic style.
Alternating courses of red Runcorn and white Painswick stone are used in the interior to great effect. The high altar & reredos have magnificent carvings by RL Boulton. The chancel windows are designed by JH Powell of Hardman & Co. The chancel mural which shows EW Pugin was designed by JA Pippett and the sacristies of 1901-02 were designed by Pugin & Pugin. The Lady chapel triptych is attributed to S Pugin Powell.
Cardinal Manning preached at the solemn opening in June 1868.
The Friars Minor Conventual have cared for the church, described as 'A Cathedral in miniature', since 1962.