Hale - United Reform Church

The story of Hale United Reformed Church begins in the late 1800s, when the Hale area of Greater Manchester was growing rapidly. With new houses being built and the population rising quickly, members of Bowdon Downs Congregational Church recognised the need for a new place of worship and education in the area.

On 31 May 1897, a building committee was set up to plan a new church for the community. Not long after, a resolution was passed to secure land right away, and a plot of around 4,220 square yards was acquired on Ashley Road—plenty of space for both a temporary School-Church and a future permanent building.

The foundation stone of the School-Church was laid on 21 May 1898. It was designed by Manchester architects William Waddington and Son and built by W. Lambert and Son of Bowdon. The building opened for worship on 4 May 1899, with a central hall, four classrooms, and an infants’ room that also served as a church parlour. Built in red brick with arched windows, it could hold around 350 people. The total cost, including land, furnishings, heating, lighting, and landscaping, came to just under £3,870.

By 1909, Hale’s population had shot up from around 3,000 to 9,000, and the growing church was struggling with overcrowded Sunday School classes. There was a clear need for more space. The church leadership decided to expand the school facilities first, then move on to building a proper church sanctuary.

An Extensions Committee was formed, and after an architectural competition, the job was awarded to France & Laycock of Manchester. The firm was led by James Harold France, a talented and civic-minded local architect. Born in Manchester in 1873, France was the son of James France, a starch works manager, and Maggie Rennie France.

He was a well-known figure in the city, particularly through his involvement with the Manchester Reform Club, where he served for 27 years and held many roles. He became vice-president in 1921 and chaired the General Committee from 1913. France’s civic service and architectural work made him a respected presence in Manchester life until his death at Cornist Hall, Flint, on 30 March 1925.

The foundation stone for the new Sunday School building, often referred to as the "New Schools,"was laid in October 1910 by Arthur Haworth, MP. The building officially opened on 28 April 1911, with Mrs. W. A. Arnold leading the dedication. The annex included three departments; primary, junior, and intermediate, each with its own entrance and classrooms. It was designed to allow the different groups to run independently, and it was praised for being both practical and beautiful. The project was supported by generous donations from the Arnold family and George Cadbury.

With the annex complete and £7,000 of the £9,000 target already raised, attention turned to the long-awaited main church building. Construction began in 1912, and the foundation stone was laid in October. The new church, again designed by France & Laycock and built by Martin Stone and Sons of Altrincham, followed the Arts and Crafts style. Built in red brick with a striking square tower, it could seat 500 people, with space for expansion to 650.

In July 1913, the church officially changed its name from Ashley Road Congregational Church to Hale Congregational Church. The new church opened on Saturday 11 October 1913, with a dedication by Mrs. J. Goodier Haworth and sermons from Rev. S. M. Berry and Rev. J. D. Jones. The final cost of the church and annex was £9,700, with only £200 remaining to be raised at the time of the opening.

When World War I broke out, the original 1899 School-Church and nearby rooms were handed over to the British Red Cross in November 1914 to serve as a military hospital. It became known as St. Peter’s Rooms and initially housed 22 patients. By May 1915, a second ward had been added.

During the Second World War, the church buildings again supported the community. At the start of the war, classrooms were used by a school evacuated from Stretford. The hall and kitchen served as a British Restaurant for five years. British Restaurants were communal kitchens created in 1940 to help people who had been bombed out of their homes, had run out of ration coupons or otherwise needed help.

In the 1950s, the church buildings were redecorated and refurbished, and improvements were made to the area, including surfacing the previously unmade Cecil Road.

By 1971, the church was part of a national conversation about the future of Congregationalism. At a special meeting attended by 139 members, it was decided to join the newly formed United Reformed Church, a union of Congregational and Presbyterian churches. The official name changed to Hale United Reformed Church in 1972. The church later merged with Trinity United Reformed Church on Delamer Road in Altrincham (now deconsecrated) and adopted its current combined name.

The buildings designed by James Harold France, especially the 1911 annex and 1913 sanctuary, remain a proud part of the church’s identity. His legacy lives on in the thoughtful, lasting design of a place that has been at the heart of the Hale community for more than a century. Today, the church continues to reflect the spiritual life, resilience, and history of the people it serves.

Further Research

You can find more building plans and archival records using the Trafford Local Studies catalogue

Sources

Some images by kind permission of Altrincham United Reform Church

Manchester Evening News

Hale and Ashley: the past 100 years  Hale Civic Society

Architects of Greater Manchester  Architects Of Greater Manchester

History of Hale Cheshire: from Domesday to dormitory   R. N. Done

The Growth of a Church; being a record of 100 years of work and witness of Hale United Reform Church     Rev. T. J. Lander and John A Sugden and Ruth I Abbott

History in focus: War

'All in it Together': Commemorating 80 years since the End of the Second World War · 'All in it Together': Commemorating 80 years since the End of the Second World War · Exploring Trafford's Heritage

The History of Hale, Cheshire Revisited David Miller 2018

https://www.altrinchamheritage.com

Trafford Local Studies Collection