1845 to 1871

Railway Development

The church and its parish were now, like the village, at the start of a new period of history. The canals which had drained away the heavy long distance road traffic, were now being challenged by the railways, which in turn brought to an end the passenger stage coach era.

The Stockport to Whaley Bridge railway, opened on the 9th June 1857, not only brought industry to a trade-depressed village, but also created one of its own. The busy cattle, goods and coal yards which were part of the Hazel Grove station served a wide area outside Stockport.

By 1860 the houses in the vicinity of the station had been built to accommodate those connected with the new enterprise. Furthermore many of the dwellings had provision for hand looms at which the women folk were able to carry on the cottage industry of silk weaving.

The railway not only brought new industry but also attracted the merchants and professional classes from Manchester and Stockport, some of whom built themselves 'neat villas' on Button Lane, (12) renamed Chester Road in 1882.

(12) Button Lane was named after Samuel Button, bailiff of the Norbury estate between 1650 and 1660

Church Development

Unfortunately, this influx into the north western extremity of the parish did not greatly increase the congregation at church, for in 1860 the busy colliery area of the parish between Norbury Hollow and Windlehurst Roads, was taken away from Norbury to create the parish of High Lane. The parish continued in this reduced state for a further 18 years.

These were lean years for the church. At this time Mr Worsley was under-pinning the finances of the church by about £50 each year from his own pocket. That was a significant proportion of his own income. Nevertheless church people continued to be actively interested in the social needs of the community.

Hazel Grove Development

One of the church school managers (Mr Brooks), who was concerned about vandalism in the village, conceived the idea of a Mechanics Institute. Mr Walter Legh of Lyme Hall gave the land on which it was erected. The building is now called the Civic Hall.

At the same time the first extensions were made to Norbury School to cater for the increase in scholars brought about by the new Education Act. When these extensions were completed in 1871 the school was able to admit a further 90 pupils, bringing the total to 213.