Church on the hill ‘gem’ on at-risk buildings list

SALFORD’S church on the hill, which hosted the wedding of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, has been added to the new Historic England Heritage At Risk Register.

St Luke’s is a Grade II-listed building, and it dominates the local landscape in Weaste, set on a mound above Liverpool Street.

But it is under threat from a leaking roof which has caused damage to ceilings.

It is hoped the repairs could be financed by a government pot of cash specifically for crumbling places of worship in Greater Manchester and Suffolk.

Historic England says of the building: “Despite being much loved, a leaking roof is damaging the ceilings. The resultant flaking could develop into further problems if left unchecked. Indeed, the church has previously suffered from rot outbreaks.”

It categorises ‘poor.’ its condition as

A £1.8m government pilot scheme running in just two counties could be the building’s salvation.

With the aid of expert advisers, St Luke’s is hoping to apply for a grant to rectify some of the leaking above the baptistery.

Historic England is piloting the scheme for minor repairs to listed places of worship for all faiths.

It says: “St Luke’s may be one of the churches which benefits from this. The project aims to prevent places of worship becoming at risk by helping them to tackle repairs before problems become too serious.”

The church was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1865. He is best known for designing St Pancras Hotel and the Albert War Memorial. He was one of the Victorian era’s most renowned architects and a master of the Gothic Revival style.

St Luke’s hosted the wedding of Emmeline Pankhurst in 1879.

She married reforming lawyer, Richard Marsden Pankhurst, a week before Christmas, aged 21.

Twenty one years later following her husband’s death, Emmeline, and her daughters downsized their living quarters to what is now known as the Pankhurst Centre in Nelson Street, Manchester.

The church’s original ornate garden houses the Parish Hall which is well used by the community.

Historic England says the building is a fine example of Gothic Revival, adding: “The style’s characteristic pointed arches, buttresses and traceried windows are all brought together in St Luke’s to create a stunning parish church.”