A Gothic Revival parish church in Stockport that marked a new chapter in Catholic worship after centuries of restriction, replacing the first permanent Catholic church built in the town following the English Reformation.
At a glance
This Grade II listed church stands on the corner of Shaw Heath and Greek Street in Edgeley, south west of Stockport College. Constructed between 1903 and 1905, it represents the growing confidence of Catholic institutions in Victorian England.
History
The church replaced St Philip and St James Church, built in 1803—the first permanent Catholic church erected in Stockport after the English Reformation. The earlier structure served the community for a century before the expanding Catholic population required a larger, more substantial building. Our Lady and the Apostles was commissioned to meet these needs, arriving at a moment of Catholic institutional revival across Britain.
What you see
Architect Edmund Kirby designed the building in the Gothic Revival style that dominated Victorian religious architecture. The church’s positioning at a prominent corner—south of Stockport railway station—made it a landmark in the Edgeley district. Its Gothic vocabulary reflects the 19th-century enthusiasm for medieval forms as expressions of spiritual authenticity.
Cultural significance
The church embodies the Roman Catholic community’s gradual integration into English public life after centuries of legal and social marginalization. Its construction signalled both demographic growth and social acceptance in an industrial town experiencing rapid transformation.
Key facts
- Country: United Kingdom
- City: Stockport, Greater Manchester
- Completed: 1905
- Architect: Edmund Kirby
- Style: Gothic Revival
- Grade II listed
- Coordinates: 53.4027, -2.1612
Practical information & getting there
The church is located in Edgeley, Stockport, near Stockport railway station. For current opening hours, services, and visitor information, contact the parish directly or visit the church website.
Sources & resources
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