1831 to 1832

William Worsley B.A. - 1831 to 1874

The Reverend William Worsley of Newton le Willows was 23 years old when he arrived at Norbury. He immediately set about the task of raising the £800 needed to get the building project going again.

First he approached the wardens at Stockport Parish Church. He asked for a loan but, although they sympathised with him in his dilemma and wished to give him all the support they could, no financial aid was available. Their coffers were empty.

He then approached Lady Vernon (Lord Vernon having recently died) and arranged with her to pay him the Norbury share of the Queen Ann's Bounty, invested by his predecessors, that amounted to £500.

In 1831 Mr Peter Legh of High Legh, Cheshire, owner of Torkington, had written a book on the principles of the beauty of architecture, entitled 'The Music of the Eye'. On the title page he had stated that the profits from the sale of the volume were to go toward the building of a church at or near Torkington. In less than a year the book realised £200 which was given for the new church at Norbury. Mr Thomas Legh of Lyme then brought the sum up to £800.

Laying the Foundation Stone

Once more the building was able to get under way, but now there was a new contractor, Thomas Steele. The Clerk of Works was Christopher Foster who was paid one guinea per week. On the 13th May 1833 the foundations were ready for the final stone to be well and truly laid by the Mayor of Stockport, J.K. Winterbottom, Esq.

We are told that on that remarkably fine day about 6,000 people assembled, either to join in or witness the proceedings. A special stand had been erected near the site, from which many well dressed ladies were able to watch the ceremony in comfort.

Those taking part included church and civic dignitories, members of the various lodges of free and accepted Masons, Druids, Foresters, Oddfellows, and other respectable gentlemen of the neighbourhood. To provide the music and lead the singing were five bands ⁽⁸⁾ and the Sunday scholars from Norbury and Disley.

After assembling at the Red Lion at 12:30 they proceeded through the village to the Toll Bar at Bramhall Moor Lane. They then countermarched to the site. There the ladies and the assembled multitude saw the ceremony carried out with a solemnity well suited to the occasion.

Finally there were three cheers for the King (William IV) after which the official party retired to the Red Lion for a most sumptuous repast provided by Mrs Mary Wood ⁽⁹⁾ at 12 shillings per head. Meanwhile the work people connected with the building of the chapel regaled themselves at the Sun Inn, where a hearty dinner had been provided for them.

⁽⁸⁾ These were the drum and fife bands of the various lodges

⁽⁹⁾ Mrs Mary Wood was noted for her culinary skills