2017

SJ8397 : St Peter's Cross repositioned

taken 7 years ago, near to Manchester, England

St Peter's Cross repositioned
St Peter's Cross repositioned

Prior to the redevelopment of St Peter's Square Link a set of tramlines ran in front of the library and buses still passed through the square on both sides. To the left was the Cenotaph and to the right was St Peter's Cross. Robert Wade's photograph from 2010 SJ8397 : Central Library, Manchester, England shows that the space between the Cenotaph and the cross lined up with the entrance to the library. An historic (2009) view on Streetview shows that the cross then lined up with the rightmost column at the entrance to the library.

The Portland stone cross by L C Howitt was erected to commemorate the fact that St. Peter's Church once stood nearby. The church opened in 1788, and was demolished in 1907. The Cenotaph was added to the square in 1919. The Central Library wasn't built until 1934 and the Town Hall extension came four years later. For more details see Manchester History LinkExternal link (Archive LinkExternal link )

The more recent redevelopment of the square involved removing the Cenotaph from its original position SJ8397 : Cenotaph, St Peter's Square and replacing it in front of the Town Hall SJ8398 : Cenotaph and Town Hall. The cross was removed and put into storage whilst the construction of the Metrolink Second City Crossing took place. The original tram stop was moved higher up and two island platforms created. After all this was completed St Peter's Cross returned to the square and is now positioned opposite the middle of the entrance to the library. It still looks down Lower Mosley Street and has tramlines passing on either side.
Manchester Central Library

Manchester Central Library, which is the second-biggest public lending library in Britain (after Birmingham's), is a circular building, south of the extended Town Hall. The library was constructed between 1930 and 1934 but, because of its traditional neoclassical design, many people mistakenly believe that it is much older. The form of the building, a columned portico attached to a rotunda domed structure, is loosely derived from the Pantheon, Rome

The building, which was first opened by King George V on 17 July 1934, is a Grade II* listed building (English Heritage ID:457312 LinkExternal link British Listed Buildings). It re-opened in March 2014, after a four-year project to renovate and modernise its facilities (LinkExternal link The Guardian)

LinkExternal link Inside Central Library (Manchester City Council)


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Gerald England and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Public buildings and spaces City, Town centre Railways Person: L C Howitt Date: 1788 1907 1919 1934 other tags: St Peters Square Tramlines Cross Library Site of Former Church Second City Crossing Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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Grid Square
SJ8397, 2758 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Gerald England   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Friday, 24 November, 2017   (more nearby)
Submitted
Sunday, 26 November, 2017
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SJ 8389 9793 [10m precision]
WGS84: 53:28.6707N 2:14.6521W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SJ 8393 9790
View Direction
Northwest (about 315 degrees)
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Image Type (about): geograph 
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