St John the Baptist

Built in the Byzantine Revival style, the dramatic church resembles the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

Rochdale, Greater Manchester

Opening times

Please contact the church for more details.

Address

Dowling Street
Rochdale
Greater Manchester
OL11 1EX

In the late 1800s, as Rochdale began to prosper, the priest, Canon Chipp sought the construction of a new, larger church to replace the one made of brick. He sought to copy the design of the Hagia Sophia and commissioned architect Henry Oswald Hill.

On 21 October 1917, after making the designs for the church, Hill was killed in action during World War I flying as a captain in 52 Squadron RAF. His firm was took over by Hill, Sandy & Norris and it was Norris who undertook to build this Byzantine style church.

The church was built from 1925 to 1927. The original design incuded a bell tower but this was never built. From 1930 to 1933, the stunning mosaic was created in the sanctuary, with a theme 'eternal life'. It was designed by Eric Newton of Ludwig Oppenheimer Ltd, cost £4000 and was made by craftspeople in Manchester.

Key features

Captivating architecture

Facilities

Parking within 250m

Denomination

Catholic Church

How we have helped this church

Wolfson Fabric Repair Grant, £10,000, 2022
Help fund urgent repairs to the roof and dome and keep the Grade-II* listed church at the heart of the local community.
Cornerstone Grant, £15,000, 2022
Our Cornerstone Grants fund urgent repairs and essential community facilities such as toilets and kitchens to help keep churches open.
Cornerstone Grant, £8,000, 2022
Our Cornerstone Grants fund urgent repairs and essential community facilities such as toilets and kitchens to help keep churches open.