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Father Patrick J
Ryan
The Roman Catholic Church of the
Sacred Heart on Queens Avenue, Tunstall, with its stunning copper
domed roofs visible for miles around, is one of North
Staffordshire’s major architectural statements, and was the vision
of one man – Father P. J. Ryan.
In 1925 Father Ryan appointed a
prominent architect – J. S. Brocklesby – and gave him a challenging
brief: to trump the local Protestants and build the biggest, most
imposing, and beautiful church in the area.
Brocklesby took up the challenge, but
the trouble was, Father Ryan had absolutely no intention of
implementing his architect’s plans. In fact he dragged Brocklesby
all over Europe to draw inspiration from continental places of
worship, and his ideas grew and grew.
memorial to Father
Patrick J Ryan
Father Patrick J
Ryan
priest / Born 9 March 1866
Tunstall 1899 - 1951 / Died 9 February 1951
Father Ryan was
held in great esteem throughout North Staffordshire, and legend
has it that when he died in 1951, his funeral procession was five
miles long and brought the area to a stand still: an amazing show of
respect and affection.
The most amazing thing
about Father Ryan though is his church: a true architectural
statement, and his real legacy. The Church of the Sacred Heart is
one of the first buildings in Stoke-on-Trent - it is awe inspiring.
Father Ryan proved to be an infuriating client
for Brocklesby, so much so that the exasperated architect never
completed the commission: Father Ryan himself was responsible for
the end product, and with the help of local labour, the church
opened its doors to worshipers in 1930. It was a remarkable
achievement, particularly given that this was the time of the
Depression.
The church is bounded on the north by a low stone
wall with wrought iron railings with geometric Art Nouveau
detailing. Inside, arcades of clustered banded shafts. A series of
side altars in the north aisle, and the main altar, all marble,
richly decorated with inlay and mosaic. Simply carved bench ends.
Much of the labour of building the church, and some
of the internal decoration is said to have been provided by the
parishioners themselves during the Depression.
Sacred Heart (R.C.), Queen's
Avenue.
taken from Tunstall Park
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