Manchester Cathedral
| Client | The Dean and Chapter of Manchester Cathedral |
| Location | Manchester |
| Status | Grade I listed |
| Summary | Thorough fabric condition survey and on-going repair works |
| Post Held | Surveyor of the Fabric |
Manchester Cathedral is a good example of a medieval collegiate church. It dates from the early fifteenth century although elements of earlier buildings have been found on the site.
The Cathedral is known for its unusually broad nave which was created by the continued addition of side chapels, one of which is the St John's Chapel which was added in the sixteenth century.
The plan below shows the church as it was at the end of the eighteenth century.
In the nineteenth century three phases of major work were undertaken by three separate architects. It was J S Crowther who refaced the church and addressed the nave arcades. At this time the west end of St John's Chapel was opened out to the north aisle and the steps from the aisle were added.
The plan below shows the Cathedral at the end of the nineteenth century.
During the second world war a land mine fell onto the north east corner of the Cathedral destroying the east wall of the Regimental Chapel and the adjoined Ely Chapel. The damage was extensive as can be seen from the (poor quality) photographs below.
The steps from the aisle to the chapel however survived the devastation and remain in acceptable condition. The stone flagged floor of the chapel was replaced in the late 1940s with woodblock flooring under the guidance of Sir Hubert Worthington, Architect.
The plan below shows the Cathedral as it is currently.
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