St Cross Church is positioned on a major arterial road (Ashton New Road, the A662) adjacent to Clayton Park and Clayton Hall (maintained by Manchester City Council). The parish is only one and a half miles from Manchester city centre with easy access and good public transport links, with a Metrolink tram stop directly opposite the church. Local amenities include a Post Office, library, health centre, day nursery, a range of local shops, takeaways and businesses and a 24-hour Asda superstore. The housing in the area is a mix of owner occupied, social housing, and private landlords. East Manchester is currently undergoing major regeneration with the construction of modern town houses and flats. Some of the new canal-side properties present potential opportunities for church growth. The national Velodrome is in the parish with SportCity just across the road which includes the Etihad Manchester City stadium and the Etihad Campus.
Designed by the renowned Victorian architect, William Butterfield, St Cross is arguably one of the most stunning church buildings in the diocese of Manchester, both internally and externally.
Built in 1863–66 in Butterfield's trademark red brick, with blue brick and pale stone banding, the church was consecrated in 1874 and designated a grade 11* listed building in 1963. Although the interior of the church has lost some of its furnishings, it remains unmistakably Butterfield. It has a timber-framed roof with five-bay arcades and patterns of coloured stone and tiles that have been echoed in late 20th century stencilling. There is also some notable stained glass of the patron saints of the British Isles.
The churchyard is extensive with burials still occurring in old family graves but it is closed to new graves. The churchyard contains war graves of seven soldiers of World War I and two of World War II
Designed by the renowned Victorian architect, William Butterfield, St Cross is arguably one of the most stunning church buildings in the diocese of Manchester, both internally and externally.
Built in 1863–66 in Butterfield's trademark red brick, with blue brick and pale stone banding, the church was consecrated in 1874 and designated a grade 11* listed building in 1963. Although the interior of the church has lost some of its furnishings, it remains unmistakably Butterfield. It has a timber-framed roof with five-bay arcades and patterns of coloured stone and tiles that have been echoed in late 20th century stencilling. There is also some notable stained glass of the patron saints of the British Isles.
The churchyard is extensive with burials still occurring in old family graves but it is closed to new graves. The churchyard contains war graves of seven soldiers of World War I and two of World War II
