A short history

of

Holy Trinity Church, Gee Cross

In 1858 a gift of land was given by Mr Tatton of Wythenshawe and funds were raised to build a school. In one of the rooms a lectern was erected and from these small beginnings a church was formed in Gee Cross, at that time it was regarded as a chapel of ease from the Church of St. Paul Compstall.

In 1873 the foundation stone of the separate church was laid and the original church was consecrated in 1874. There have been numerous additions and alterations since then but the basic building remains.

The church’s name was changed to Holy Trinity Gee Cross in 1873 and a parish formed in 1880. The first Vicar was the Rev Thomas Bourke who remained until 1882. Rev. T.G.Williams accepted the living in October 1882 and continued until 1913. During this time extensions were made to the church in the form of a Bell tower including a clock and peal of bells. The Proposed Lych Gate shown in the July 1903 Magazine was never undertaken. The tower was finally completed in 1904 and consecrated by the Bishop of Chester on April 23rd of that year.The treasurer of the building committee was able to report that, out of the £819 the tower has cost to erect, only £69 remained outstanding. The Clock was provided by Mrs Brown in memory of her husband, Canon Brown and dedicated on 31st December 1904. The clock was wound by hand three time a week until 1969 when at a cost of £220 it was able to be wound electrically. A gift of a peal of eight bells was made in the Autumn of 1906 by Mrs. Elkanah Woodhead in memory of her husband. The bells were made by Messrs John Taylor & Co. of Loughborough. The total weight of these bells is 2 tons 16 cwt. 1qr. 11 lbs (almost 3 metric tons) and for this reason, coupled with the limited amount of space available, that the bells are struck and not swung.

The school rebuilt in 1888 A mission was opened in Gee Cross in 1895 in various buildings in the parish. The Vicarage was originally let by the Church but in 1900 it was decided to purchase it 1917 saw the decision made to enlarge the Vicarage and the southern wing was added

In 1980 it was decided to build a hall and after a very successful Gift Day we went ahead, this was consecrated in 1982