St. Elisabeth's Church

St. Elisabeth's Church is a Grade I listed building in Reddish with Victorian Gothic architecture, marked by Openshaw brick walls and Wrexham stone decorations throughout. The interior features massive pillars that support the nave roof and give the structure its distinctive proportions and character.

Construction was designed by architect Alfred Waterhouse and funded by Sir William Houldsworth, completed in 1883 to serve the growing industrial community. This period marked a phase of expansion and prosperity in the area.

The church displays modern Stations of the Cross that blend local landmarks like Stockport Viaduct into their religious imagery. This artistic approach connects the region's industrial heritage with spiritual devotion in a way visitors can see and appreciate.

The church is open during regular hours, with the main service on Sundays and visitors welcome to attend. It is worth checking in advance whether a visit outside service times is possible.

An unusual aspect of the building history is how the massive supporting pillars arrived at their destination. They were transported using elephants from Belle Vue Zoo, a remarkable episode from the area's past that few visitors know about.

Location: Stockport

Inception: 1882

Architects: Alfred Waterhouse

Website: http://saintelisabeths.org

GPS coordinates: 53.43800,-2.16330

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:06