Catholic Church of Saint Mary and Saint Michael — Robert Street

Detached eight-bay double-height Catholic church, designed 1894; built 1895-1902; opened 1902, on a cruciform plan comprising five-bay double-height nave opening into five-bay single-storey lean-to side aisles with single-bay (two-bay deep) double-height double-pile transepts centred on single-bay double-height apse to crossing on a projecting polygonal plan; single-bay six-stage tower (north-west) on a square plan supporting octagonal spire. Renovated, ----, with sanctuary reordered. Pitched slate roofs on a cruciform plan; lean-to slate roofs (side aisles); polygonal-ended pitched slate roof (apse), quatrefoil-perforated crested clay ridge tiles, cut-granite coping to gables on gabled "Hollow" kneelers with Celtic Cross finials to apexes, cut-granite coping to gable (east) with cut-granite gabled bellcote to apex framing cast-bronze bell, and cast-iron rainwater goods on cut-granite "Cavetto" corbels retaining cast-iron hoppers and square profile downpipes. Tuck pointed snecked rock faced limestone walls on paired cut-granite chamfered cushion courses on tuck pointed snecked rock faced limestone plinth with stepped buttresses including clasping stepped buttresses to corners having cut-granite "slated" coping. Paired lancet window openings (clerestorey) with cut-granite sill courses, and cut- or hammered granite block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals with hood mouldings framing fixed-pane fittings having square glazing bars. Paired lancet window openings (side aisles) with cut-granite sill courses, and cut- or hammered granite block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals with hood mouldings framing fixed-pane fittings having square glazing bars. Lancet window openings in tripartite arrangement (transepts) with cut-granite sill courses, and cut- or hammered granite block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals with hood mouldings on foliate label stops framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having leaded stained glass panels. Pointed-arch window openings (apse) with cut-granite mullions, and cut-granite block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals with hood mouldings on monolithic label stops framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having leaded stained glass panels. Pair of shouldered square-headed door openings to entrance (west) front in pointed-arch recess approached by flight of five mosaic tiled cut-granite steps, cut-granite block-and-start surround having colonette-detailed rebated reveals with hood moulding on foliate label stops framing timber boarded doors having "lozenge"-detailed decorative overpanel. Pair of pointed-arch window openings with cut-granite engaged colonette mullions, and cut-granite block-and-start surrounds having engaged colonette-detailed reveals with hood mouldings on foliate label stops framing fixed-pane fittings having square glazing bars. "Rose Window" (gable) with cut-granite engaged colonette mullions, and cut-granite surround having bull nose-detailed reveals with hood moulding on foliate label stops framing fixed-pane fittings having square glazing bars. Interior including vestibule (west) with pair of wall monuments (1846; 1964); square-headed door openings into nave with glazed timber panelled double doors having overlights; full-height interior open into roof with pointed-arch tripartite arcade (west) supporting arcaded choir gallery centred on Gothic-style timber panelled pipe organ (1902), herring bone-pattern terracotta tiled central aisle between timber pews, pointed-arch arcades on polished Aberdeen granite pillars with hood mouldings on foliate label stops, exposed Hammerbeam timber roof construction on three quarter-engaged colonettes on fluted corbels with wind braced timber boarded ceiling in carved timber frame on carved timber cornice, mosaic tiled Gothic-style pulpit on an octagonal plan with cut-limestone baptismal font, pointed-arch chancel arch framing carpeted stepped dais to sanctuary to crossing (east) reordered, ----, with "flèche"-topped cut-veined white marble Gothic-style high altar (1901) below stained glass memorial windows (1899), pointed arches to side altars with encaustic and "faience majolica" tiled stepped daises supporting cut-veined white marble Gothic-style altars (1901) below stained glass memorial windows (1899), Gothic-style timber stations (side aisles) with paired stained glass memorial windows (1899), exposed pointed-arch braced timber roof constructions on beaded "Cavetto" corbels with wind braced rafters on carved timber cornices, and pair of Gothic-style confessional boxes (transepts) below stained glass memorial "Trinity Windows" (1899). Set in landscaped grounds with cruciform-detailed granite ashlar piers to perimeter having wrought iron finial-topped chamfered capping supporting wrought iron double gates.