The oldest part of Eccles Parish Church goes back to the twelfth century but the Chancel was rebuilt as recently as 1861 - when the roof was raised, new windows installed and Minton tiles used to cover the underlying ancient burial chambers near the altar. A few years ago cracks appeared in these magnificent tiles and the floor began to sink.
Historic England put the church on its Buildings at Risk Register stating:
“The church appears to be suffering from a localised sub floor collapse of a burial chamber in front of the communion rail and altar. This is allowing the floor tobdeflect. Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric.”
But what is causing this collapse? It could simply be that the walls of the graves are crumbling, or perhaps there are deeper vaults below - no one knows.
To find out, a group of experts has been brought together from the Diocese, Salford City Council, Greater Manchester Archeological Advisory Service and Civic Heritage, an archeology and heritage consultancy based in Manchester. They are about to start opening up three sites in the chancel to understand how it is constructed and what is going wrong.
Once we understand the nature of the problem we can put together a plan to rebuild the floor and reinstate the tiles - but that will be for another day. Right now we are focussed on the archeological exploration.
Drone photography has already been used to record the exact position of all the tiles. The choir stalls are to be moved out on 22nd August and the slow careful lifting of the tiles will begin on 24th August. By early September we should be ready for the archeological dig to begin in earnest.
Coincidentally this work will be live throughout the Heritage Open Days week (12th to 20th September). You can find details and opening times here.bWe hope to be able to offer some limited involvement for members of the public throughout the dig but right now we cannot be specific. We will certainly offer guided tours and regular small group presentations to update visitors on progress - probably held over lunchtimes
