All Saints Friary
Barton upon Irwell, Greater Manchester
All Saints was built between 1865 and 1868 through the munificence of Sir Humphrey de Trafford, Bt.
Built to accommodate the influx of people to Trafford Park at a time of industrial expansion, St Clements church has an interesting history. Built in a number of phases and designed by an architect who liked asymmetry, the church is idiosyncratic in its architecture and is further adorned by a number of windows by the esteemed Arts & Crafts designers and manufacturers Shrigley and Hunt.
The small details on the windows are particularly delightful; small grasses and flowers, and miniature village scapes make pictures within pictures of popular bible stories. There is also a bronze relief plaque of the first vicar by John Cassidy RA, several first world war memorials including one of the boys of the Boys Brigade, and, rather unusually, a columbarium,.
Although the church is large it has an intimate feel, probably on account of the asymmetrical architecture and the celebratory banners made by the current congregation. The garden outside is a lovely peaceful place in which to sit and listen to the birds sing. There usually tea and coffee available when the church is open. The church is close to Urmston town centre, the railway station and good bus links. The M60 runs very close by (less than a mile). There are a plethora of cafes and shops and Urmston Cemetery is a 5 minute walk away for those researching family history.
