This was my first ever explore. Churches are a love/hate subject for me, there are so many dotted around, they are often too large to get one satisfactory photograph of and more often than not full of people when they are open. I have asked a few churches if I can go in the 'off limit' areas to capture unique photo opportunities but often than not, (even offering donations) it doesn't seem to work. I saw my chance with this one though to an extent. I have a personal rule to never directly photograph the front of headstones if I can help it, out respect for any next of kin, though most graves in this site were from mid 1800's and were very overgrown and hidden under brambles and nettles.
St. Luke's in Cheetham hill is an abandoned, crumbling carcass over grown with mothers natures attempt at reclaiming the ruins, however a volunteer group does often tend to the upkeep of the graveyard and general areas around the church grounds.
Now a little History;
St Luke's Church was an Anglican parish church in the Cheetham district of Manchester, England. The structure is now mostly derelict and is currently owned by the Heritage Trust for the North West.
The building was completed in 1839, using ashlar, to a Perpendicular Gothic design by T. W. Atkinson. Construction had commenced in 1836.
A wealthy local resident and enthusiastic amateur musician, J. W. Fraser, commissioned William Hill to design and install a three-manual church organ in the German System style. This was completed in 1840.
Mendelssohn gave a recital using this instrument in April 1847
Although now mostly derelict, the tower and west end of the aisles and vestry survive and are classified as a Grade II listed building.
In the grounds of the ruined church also lies a large crypt supported by pillars and archways, that still contains remnants of pottery and headstones.
Eerie photos of the crypt have appeared online, attracting attention to this historic site.
At my time of visit the crypt was indeed open, Its huge! My cameras struggled to take good pictures and there's also a hanging mist down there that the flash picks up and hazes the images. There are no human remains down there but a few metal structures holding the ceiling up and the ceiling has collapsed in the far back corner, its very dark, cold, damp and peaceful. A strong flashlight would be needed to view it all properly, bricks and rubble cover the floor, so care needs to be taken. Mushrooms grow downwards from the ceiling and tree roots have penetrated through from above. This site is on a main road and houses directly across so go early morning if you want to have a nosey. The graveyard poses its own risks having small holes you can easily twist an ankle in. Don't go alone, the group of volunteers stated they found a homeless guy sleeping in one of the tombs, though I didn't see anyone there during my visit, its not to say there won't be there on your visit.
St. Luke's in Cheetham hill is an abandoned, crumbling carcass over grown with mothers natures attempt at reclaiming the ruins, however a volunteer group does often tend to the upkeep of the graveyard and general areas around the church grounds.
Now a little History;
St Luke's Church was an Anglican parish church in the Cheetham district of Manchester, England. The structure is now mostly derelict and is currently owned by the Heritage Trust for the North West.
The building was completed in 1839, using ashlar, to a Perpendicular Gothic design by T. W. Atkinson. Construction had commenced in 1836.
A wealthy local resident and enthusiastic amateur musician, J. W. Fraser, commissioned William Hill to design and install a three-manual church organ in the German System style. This was completed in 1840.
Mendelssohn gave a recital using this instrument in April 1847
Although now mostly derelict, the tower and west end of the aisles and vestry survive and are classified as a Grade II listed building.
In the grounds of the ruined church also lies a large crypt supported by pillars and archways, that still contains remnants of pottery and headstones.
Eerie photos of the crypt have appeared online, attracting attention to this historic site.
At my time of visit the crypt was indeed open, Its huge! My cameras struggled to take good pictures and there's also a hanging mist down there that the flash picks up and hazes the images. There are no human remains down there but a few metal structures holding the ceiling up and the ceiling has collapsed in the far back corner, its very dark, cold, damp and peaceful. A strong flashlight would be needed to view it all properly, bricks and rubble cover the floor, so care needs to be taken. Mushrooms grow downwards from the ceiling and tree roots have penetrated through from above. This site is on a main road and houses directly across so go early morning if you want to have a nosey. The graveyard poses its own risks having small holes you can easily twist an ankle in. Don't go alone, the group of volunteers stated they found a homeless guy sleeping in one of the tombs, though I didn't see anyone there during my visit, its not to say there won't be there on your visit.
