New Harvest Church, Manchester

The New Harvest Church in Manchester occupies a building rich with historical transformations, located at the corner of Chapel Street and Trinity Way. Originally constructed in 1846, this building began its life as a Scottish Presbyterian Church, distinguished by a tall spire and traditional stone construction visible at the rear, featuring a large Gothic window frame.

In 1912, the structure underwent significant architectural changes, gaining a new front facade as it transitioned to a cinema, initially known as the Salford Cinema. This facade is characterized by its Faience and roughcast design, featuring elaborate details such as rusticated pilasters, a segmental dentilled pediment with decorative swags and cornucopia, and intricately molded architraves around its circular and oval windows. A standout feature includes a radiused angle with an Ionic column porch and an ornate balustrade topped by an open cupola.

The building's cinematic era began in 1912 and saw another name change in 1938 to "The Rex" cinema, continuing as such until 1958. The arrival of television led to the cinema's closure, after which the building served as a bingo hall from 1967 to 1985, inaugurated by Violet Carson of Coronation Street fame.

Despite its varied past, the building returned to its original purpose as a place of worship when the New Harvest Christian Fellowship took ownership. The church, which also embraces the building's historical name as the New Harvest Church, maintains its Grade II listing status awarded in 1980 for its significance as an example of early cinema architecture.

Today, the New Harvest Church welcomes all attendees, holding services throughout the week in this historically rich and architecturally significant building. The transformation from a church to a cinema and back to a church underscores a fascinating journey of adaptation and reuse, reflecting both the cultural shifts and the architectural heritage of Manchester.