| Admin_History | The Church of the Holy Name of Jesus was built on Oxford Road in Manchester, England, between 1869 and 1871. It was designed by Joseph Aloysius Hansom (1803-1882), a prolific and acclaimed English architect who was well known for designing many buildings for the Roman Catholic Church throughout Britain and for inventing the Hansom Cab. He had several architectural partnerships throughout his career, before finally taking his son, Joseph Stanislaus Hansom (1845-1931), into partnership in 1869 and designing the Church of the Holy Name together with him. It is in the Gothic Revival style, inspired primarily by 14th century French buildings. At 186 feet long and 112 feet wide and with a capacity to accommodate 800 worshippers in the nave, the Holy Name is the largest church in Manchester. The Church's exterior is built from brick and Warwick stone, with decorative details made from terracotta. The Church is equipped with a baptistery and several chapels. The interior of the Holy Name has a large pulpit, an elaborate high altar designed by Joseph S Hansom and confessionals taking up the entire north side, demonstrating the church's emphasis on preaching, Mass and confession. Joseph A Hansom originally designed a 73 feet high steeple for the Church, but the plans were abandoned because the weak foundations could not hold up such a weight and risk destroying the surrounding parish. Instead, the Church was left with its now characteristic short, flat tower. The tower, erected in 1928 in memory of Fr Bernard Vaughan SJ, was designed by Adrian Gilbert Scott. The church has been Grade I listed on the National Heritage List for England since 1989, having previously been Grade II listed since 1963. |