A History of St Mark's

Our story began in 1868 when Mr Richard Fitton, a local cotton mill owner donated the land for a building which should be named the Ede Institute. The original trust deed states that the building "should be devoted to the religious and secular instruction of the children residing at or near to Heyside in the parish of Royton". From its opening day, the Ede Institure was the village school, Sunday school and a place of worshup with visiting Clergy from Royton officiating at services. It remained the village school until Blackshaw Lane Primary School was opened in 1903.The building, now titled Heyside Parish Hall, still stands as our Church hall and community centre today.

The Parish Church was consecrated in 1878 at a cost of £3,500. It was built on land donated by the Rev. W Cumming-Macdona and funding by the same Mr Richard Fittn who built the Ede Institure. The cornerstone of the building was placed on Good Friday 1877 by Mrs Macdona.

The buiding is an edifice of stone in the Early English style, consisting of chancel, nave, vestries, north and south porches and a Western belfry; containing one bell, and originally had seating for 400 people.

Throughout its long history, several significant changes have been made to the Church Building, included:

• 1880 - the stone Reredos and tiled floor in the Chancel were installed in memorial to Mr Richard Fitton.

• 1893 - saw the Organ installed (in what is now the Chapel).

• 1900 - Choir stalls, a Caen Stone pulpit and Brass Lectern were added in memory of Richard John Fitton and Arthur Fitton.

• 1902 - the grounds aroudn the Church building were landscaped.

• 1902 - the Baptistry and East windows were installed as a memorial to Mrs Jobson, the wife of Rev. Edward Jobson, the first Vicar of the Parish.

• 1907 - the original Vicarage was built.

• 1912 - Oak Chancel screen, altar rail and Marble Nave floor were added.

• 1916 - the majestic West window, depicting the “Adoration of the Lamb” designed by Caprionnier was dedicated.

• 1920 - the first PCC was elected and Electoral roll was compiled with 1400 members.

• 1925 - the War Memorial was erected, following the end of the Great War.

• 1928 - the central panel of the Reredos has the Figures of the Resurrection added.

• 1961 - the Garden of Remembrance was created.

• 1971 - following complete transformation, the Church in its present form was dedicated.The Organ having been replaced at the rear of the Church, the organ loft becoming the Chapel of the Living Christ.The Altar was brought forward into the space created by removal of the Choir stalls.The Chancel screen used to create the screen for the Chapel, and the font brought to the front of the Church.