Masonic Intrigue (Part 1)

Built upon the proportions of Solomon's Temple?

Falinge is a small district of Rochdale, Lancashire which lies just outside the town centre. It has recently acquired the dubious mantle of ‘Benefits Capital of the UK’, which brought swiftly upon the concrete laden streets, the vagaries of national press attention. Just 50 metres away from this hotbed of scrutiny was a photographer with an entirely different subject framed within his lens.

The exterior geometry only hints at the symbolic wonders within

Andy Marshall explains: “ I am a photographer with a background in historic architecture and its conservation, and every now and again I get a call to help record a building which is under threat. On this occasion the building was the church of Saint Edmund in Falinge.”

Unconventional tracery at the Royd's Chapel

Andy is getting particularly used to photographing churches which are under threat, but this church overwhelmed him with the sheer quality, individuality and distinctiveness of its interior.

More symbols in the form of vine scroll, acorn and oak leaf motif's

“I remember first meeting the key holder there and discussing the history of the building as we entered the vestry. When we walked into the chancel I soon realised that Saint Edmund wasn’t the average Victorian church. I remember having to hold my excitement until I had the pleasure of being all alone in this remarkable space”.

To be continued.....

Period Glass

Mobile blog

I've just taken this with my phone as a reminder of the wonderful eclectic and multidisciplinary creativity of the Victorians.One such example is their use of glass. Back in the 1890's the ubiquitous technique of embossing a molten piece of rolled or cast glass superseded the use of etched glass. Apparently, my vestibule door (above) has some of the most popular patterns. I'll raise a glass to that!

Sacred Light

Sacred Light, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

Light has a sculpting quality here in the entrance porch to Saint Edmund's

Saint Edmund's", Falinge near Rochdale - is a real tour-de-force. Built in the 1870's for £28, 000 (when a good church cost £4000). It is a Masonic Church and Pevsner says that it has symbolism to rival the Da Vinci Code Rosslyn Chapel. I am photographing the interior because it is due to close soon.

"Almost every fitting and feature has
reference to the Lore of masonry." Says Pevsner.

The listing also states - Internally
and externally such reference extends not only to the front,
lectern and communion rail but to roof trusses, stained
glass and more abstract qualities such as proportions which
are said to relate to those of Solomon's temple

Check out the full set (which is being added to regularly)

Roof Timbers Royd's Chapel

Roof Timbers Royd's Chapel, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

Saint Edmund's", Falinge near Rochdale - is a real tour-de-force. Built in the 1870's for £28, 000 (when a good church cost £4000). It is a Masonic Church and Pevsner says that it has symbolism to rival the Da Vinci Code Rosslyn Chapel. I am photographing the interior because it is due to close soon.

"Almost every fitting and feature has
reference to the Lore of masonry." Says Pevsner.

The listing also states - Internally
and externally such reference extends not only to the front,
lectern and communion rail but to roof trusses, stained
glass and more abstract qualities such as proportions which
are said to relate to those of Solomon's temple

Check out the full set (which is being added to regularly)

Masonic Symbol, Lecturn, Royd's Chapel

Masonic Symbol, Lecturn, Royd's Chapel, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

Saint Edmund's", Falinge near Rochdale - is a real tour-de-force. Built in the 1870's for £28, 000 (when a good church cost £4000). It is a Masonic Church and Pevsner says that it has symbolism to rival the Da Vinci Code Rosslyn Chapel. I am photographing the interior because it is due to close soon.

"Almost every fitting and feature has
reference to the Lore of masonry." Says Pevsner.

The listing also states - Internally
and externally such reference extends not only to the front,
lectern and communion rail but to roof trusses, stained
glass and more abstract qualities such as proportions which
are said to relate to those of Solomon's temple

Check out the full set (which is being added to regularly)

Altar view from Royd's Chapel

Altar view from Royd's Chapel, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

Saint Edmund's", Falinge near Rochdale - is a real tour-de-force. Built in the 1870's for £28, 000 (when a good church cost £4000). It is a Masonic Church and Pevsner says that it has symbolism to rival the Da Vinci Code Rosslyn Chapel. I am photographing the interior because it is due to close soon.

"Almost every fitting and feature has
reference to the Lore of masonry." Says Pevsner.

The listing also states - Internally
and externally such reference extends not only to the front,
lectern and communion rail but to roof trusses, stained
glass and more abstract qualities such as proportions which
are said to relate to those of Solomon's temple

Check out the full set (which is being added to regularly)

Royd's Brass Memorial Fonts

Royd's Brass Memorial Fonts, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

To compare and view a complete set with additional images click here

Designed by the Gilbert (who was the first incumbent), this rather expressive brass memorial reflects the confidence of the Victorian age with it's mastery of the art of brass work and the sheer exuberance and eclectic nature of the fonts used. Once again it is full of Masonic symbolism.

"Almost every fitting and feature has
reference to the Lore of masonry." Says Pevsner.

The listing also states - Internally
and externally such reference extends not only to the front,
lectern and communion rail but to roof trusses, stained
glass and more abstract qualities such as proportions which
are said to relate to those of Solomon's temple

Check out the full set (which is being added to regularly)


Saint Edmund's", Falinge near Rochdale - is a real tour-de-force. Built in the 1870's for £28, 000 (when a good church cost £4000). It is a Masonic Church and Pevsner says that it has symbolism to rival the Da Vinci Code Rosslyn Chapel. I am photographing the interior because it is due to close soon.

Royd's Brass Memorial

Royd's Brass Memorial, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

To compare and view a complete set with additional images click here

Designed by the Gilbert (who was the first incumbent), this rather expressive brass memorial reflects the confidence of the Victorian age with it's mastery of the art of brass work and the sheer exuberance and eclectic nature of the fonts used. Once again it is full of Masonic symbolism.

"Almost every fitting and feature has
reference to the Lore of masonry." Says Pevsner.

The listing also states - Internally
and externally such reference extends not only to the front,
lectern and communion rail but to roof trusses, stained
glass and more abstract qualities such as proportions which
are said to relate to those of Solomon's temple

Check out the full set (which is being added to regularly)


Saint Edmund's", Falinge near Rochdale - is a real tour-de-force. Built in the 1870's for £28, 000 (when a good church cost £4000). It is a Masonic Church and Pevsner says that it has symbolism to rival the Da Vinci Code Rosslyn Chapel. I am photographing the interior because it is due to close soon.

Roof Detail, South Transept

Roof Detail, South Transept, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

"Almost every fitting and feature has
reference to the Lore of masonry." Says Pevsner.

The listing also states - Internally
and externally such reference extends not only to the front,
lectern and communion rail but to roof trusses, stained
glass and more abstract qualities such as proportions which
are said to relate to those of Solomon's temple

Check out the full set (which is being added to regularly)


Saint Edmund's", Falinge near Rochdale - is a real tour-de-force. Built in the 1870's for £28, 000 (when a good church cost £4000). It is a Masonic Church and Pevsner says that it has symbolism to rival the Da Vinci Code Rosslyn Chapel. I am photographing the interior because it is due to close this month.

Corbel and Organ, South Transept

Corbel and Organ, South Transept, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

"Almost every fitting and feature has
reference to the Lore of masonry." Says Pevsner.

The listing also states - Internally
and externally such reference extends not only to the front,
lectern and communion rail but to roof trusses, stained
glass and more abstract qualities such as proportions which
are said to relate to those of Solomon's temple

Check out the full set (which is being added to regularly)


Saint Edmund's", Falinge near Rochdale - is a real tour-de-force. Built in the 1870's for £28, 000 (when a good church cost £4000). It is a Masonic Church and Pevsner says that it has symbolism to rival the Da Vinci Code Rosslyn Chapel. I am photographing the interior because it is due to close this month.

The Masonic Lecturn, Saint Edmunds, Falinge

The Masonic Lecturn, Saint Edmunds, Falinge, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

Behind the Lecturn you can just make out the magnificent Reredos which houses a series of hidden words - see here.....

"Almost every fitting and feature has
reference to the Lore of masonry." Says Pevsner.

The listing also states - Internally
and externally such reference extends not only to the front,
lectern and communion rail but to roof trusses, stained
glass and more abstract qualities such as proportions which
are said to relate to those of Solomon's temple

Check out the full set (which is being added to regularly)


Saint Edmund's", Falinge near Rochdale - is a real tour-de-force. Built in the 1870's for £28, 000 (when a good church cost £4000). It is a Masonic Church and Pevsner says that it has symbolism to rival the Da Vinci Code Rosslyn Chapel. I am photographing the interior because it is due to close this month.

The Royds Chapel

The Royds Chapel, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

"Almost every fitting and feature has
reference to the Lore of masonry." Says Pevsner.

The listing also states - Internally
and externally such reference extends not only to the front,
lectern and communion rail but to roof trusses, stained
glass and more abstract qualities such as proportions which
are said to relate to those of Solomon's temple

Check out the full set (which is being added to regularly)


Saint Edmund's", Falinge near Rochdale - is a real tour-de-force. Built in the 1870's for £28, 000 (when a good church cost £4000). It is a Masonic Church and Pevsner says that it has symbolism to rival the Da Vinci Code Rosslyn Chapel. I am photographing the interior because it is due to close this month.

St. Edmunds: Hammer Beam study

St. Edmunds: Hammer Beam study, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

It is hard to see the cross braces which take the support of the roof - the long exposure reveals intricate carving in floral motifs. This is a photo of each support to the hammerbeam looking upwards

Check out the full set (which is being added to regularly)


Saint Edmund's", Falinge near Rochdale - is a real tour-de-force. Built in the 1870's for £28, 000 (when a good church cost £4000). It is a Masonic Church and Pevsner says that it has symbolism to rival the Da Vinci Code Rosslyn Chapel. I am photographing the interior because it is due to close this month.

St. Edmunds: Hammer Beam study

St. Edmunds: Hammer Beam study, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

Both sides of the hammer beam of the cancel roof placed back to back for reference

Check out the full set (which is being added to regularly)


Saint Edmund's", Falinge near Rochdale - is a real tour-de-force. Built in the 1870's for £28, 000 (when a good church cost £4000). It is a Masonic Church and Pevsner says that it has symbolism to rival the Da Vinci Code Rosslyn Chapel. I am photographing the interior because it is due to close this month.

St. Edmunds: Hammer Beam study

St. Edmunds: Hammer Beam study, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

Here it is in all its glory - the hammer beam chancel roof

Check out the full set (which is being added to regularly)


Saint Edmund's", Falinge near Rochdale - is a real tour-de-force. Built in the 1870's for £28, 000 (when a good church cost £4000). It is a Masonic Church and Pevsner says that it has symbolism to rival the Da Vinci Code Rosslyn Chapel. I am photographing the interior because it is due to close this month.

Door Detail, Bury Parish Church

Door Detail, Bury Parish Church, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

Victorian iron work at its very best. Here on the vestry door at Saint Mary the Virgin Bury, Lancashire UK.

Oriel Chambers, Liverpool

Oriel Chambers, Liverpool, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

Not a great photograph - but a remarkable building. Oriel Chambers is reputed to be one of the first iron framed commercial buildings on the planet - built by Peter Ellis in 1864. In terms of it's style it is a pre-cursor of the modern movement. A must see building for archi buffs!

Metal

Door furniture Selby Abbey, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

Metal is a material which has been used in every aspect of architecture - from providing waterproof covering to holding the doors onto the frame.

Even though it is largely the Georgians and Victorians which initiated the apotheosis of the use of metal in buildings, it has been used for structural and decorative purposes for thousands of years. It is known , for example, that the Roman Pantheon had a bronze roof.

For decoration there is nothing like metal to bring detail into relief (see the photo of a door at Selby Abbey above)

Key moments in the use of metal as a structural form relate to its first use to construct a bridge at Ironbridge in Shropshire by Abraham Darby in 1779 and the building of the Crystal Palace by Joseph Paxton in 1851

To see a comprehensive set of images showing the use of metal in architecture see here

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John Rylands Library Manchester UK

Saint Peter's Ancoats Manchester

Saint Peter's Ancoats Manchester, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

Saint Peters Church built to a design by Isaac Holden in 1859 Ancoats Conservation Area Manchester, UK

Andy Marshall is a professional architectural photographer. Most images can be downloaded 24/7 at Alamy as stock photography

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