St John, Manchester, Church of England

St. John's Church was founded by Edward Byrom, in 1768, and consecrated the following year, when the Rev. John Clowes was presented by the founder as the first rector. He was rector in 1829, and resided in Warwickshire, having two curates to attend to the spiritual wants of the parishioners. The Rev. Robert Dallas was the first of these; he resided in Quay Street, and at the same time held the office of Master of the Lower Grammar School The Rev. Wm. Huntingdon was the other; he resided in St John Street Mr. Dawson, who lived at the cottage which, with its garden, once occupied the ground on which the Concert Hall and the adjoining warehouse now stand, was associated with Edward Byrom in building St John's Church. Some dispute, however, arising, Mr. Dawson withdrew after he had paid for a portion of the building materials. He purchased the picture, by Annibal Caracci, of "The Descent* firom the Cross" in Italy, which is now over the communion table of St Peter's Church, intending it for St John's in the first instance, but, on the occurrence of the dispute, he presented it to St Peter's. A remarkable history of longevity stands connected with the history of this church in as much as the two first rectors held the office for 107 years. Mr. Clowes died in 1831, at the age of eighty-seven, having been rector for sixty-two years, and Mr. Huntingdon, who was appointed to succeed him, died four or five years ago, having been connected with the church as rector and curate for more than fifty years. Mr. Clowes, the rector of St John's, must not be confounded with the clergyman of the same name previously mentioned who was one of the Fellows of the Collegiate Church. The Mr. Clowes of St. John's was the fourth son of Mr. Joseph Clowes, barrister, and was educated at the school of the Rev. John Ckjrton, in Salford, who was a friend of John Byrom and of John Wesley, and at Trinity College, Cambridge. Soon after he was made rector of St John's he became acquainted with the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, whose theological teachings he imbibed; and, strange to say, he was allowed to retain his position and yet to devote all his energies to spread those doctrines both by the press and in the pulpit.

Reminiscences of Manchester fifty years ago, by J. T. Slugg. 1881

This site provides historical information about churches, other places of worship and cemeteries. It has no connection with the churches themselves.

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