1826. When £35,000 had been expended on it the parishioners were unwilling to contribute more, and they agreed to transfer this church to the corporation, provided that body would complete it, which they subsequently did, at a further expense of £10,267 10s. 6d.

This structure is a fine specimen of the Corinthian order of architecture, and has at the west end a most splendid portico, which is a copy from that of the temple of Jupiter Stator, in the Forum at Rome. This portico consists of ten entire, and two half columns, decorated with richly wrought capitals, surmounted by a suitable entablature and pediment. The height of each column is 31 feet 8 inches, and the length of the portico is 61 feet 7 inches. Above this rises the pedestal of the steeple, adorned with sixteen Ionic columns, each 22 feet 6 inches high, supporting an appropriate entablature, and balustrading. The spaces between these columns are occupied with circular headed belfry windows. A second pedestal of the Corinthian order springs from this, and has eight columns and pilasters, each 21 feet high, and each of the spaces between the columns has a portal. From this pedestal springs an octangular spire, crowned with a capital. The height of the steeple from the ground is 201 feet.

An entablature similar to that of the portico is carried round the body of the building, the

east end of which is ornamented with four beautiful columns. The church is well lighted by handsome semicircular-headed windows, which are divided in the middle by panels. The internal part of this edifice is remarkably neat, and contains 1306 sittings, 520 of which are free. In a small gallery at the western end, allotted to the choir, is a powerful and fine-toned organ, built by Bewsher and Fleetwood, of this town.

CHRIST CHURCH.

This church is situate at the top of Hunterstreet, and was erected in the year 1797, by the late Mr John Houghton, at an expense of £15,000. He endowd it with the sum of £105 per annum, to be derived from the rents of twenty-four pews, which are to be appropriated for ever to the support of the incumbent. The rents of other pews are also set apart for the salaries of an organist, a clerk, and a sexton. This edifice consists of brick, ornamented with stone, and the top of the northern end is adorned with a dome, which commands a most extensive view of the town and neighbourhood. The interior of this church is well fitted up with pews, and on three sides there are two tiers of galleries, the upper one containing four hundred free sittings, assigned to the use of the poor. The galleries are supported in front by slender cast iron columns, and are entered by four stone staircases.

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At the

south end there is a gallery, in which is placed an organ of a peculiar construction, having the appearance of two organs. This instrument was

built by Collins, of this town. The part below the body of the church is vaulted, and constitutes its principal cemetery, the yard being very circumscribed.

TRINITY CHURCH.

This is a neat stone edifice with a tower at the west end, which is adorned with vases placed at each angle. On each side of the church are two rows of semicircular headed windows, and the top of the building is terminated by a balustrade. The inside is neatly painted, and well furnished with pews; and the western end is supplied with an organ. This church was erected by a number of private individuals, and was consecrated in 1792. It is situate on the east side of St. Anne-street.

ST. MATHEW'S CHURCH.

This building was originally licensed as a Protestant Dissenting Meeting-house on the 24th of November, 1707, but subsequently was consecrated, and used as a place of worship according to the established religion. It stands on the west side of Key-street.

ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH.

This structure was also first licensed for a

Protestant Dissenting Chapel on the 9th of July, 1722, but was afterwards consecrated to the service of the established church. It is situate at the south end of Byrom-street, is neatly fitted up with pews, and has a good organ.

ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.

This building was originally a tennis-court, but in 1798 was converted into a place of worship agreeably to the ceremonies of the established church. It is situate in Grosvenor-street, is commodiously fitted up with pews, and has a good organ. The outside has been recently covered with stucco, which has much improved its external appearance.

ST. MARK'S CHURCH.

This church was opened for divine service on the 6th of March, 1803, but was not consecrated until 1815. It is situate at the higher end of Duke-street, and was raised by public subscription at the cost of about £18,000. It is a spacious brick building, with a square tower at the west end, adorned at the top with vases. The interior is commodiously and neatly fitted up with pews, affording seats for 1714 persons, and has a handsome organ. The east end is decorated with a large painted glass window, representing the ascension of our Saviour, and was executed at Mr. Davenport's manufactory, at

Longford, in Staffordshire, at an expense of about £700. Three hundred free seats are allotted to the poor in this church

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

This is a plain brick building, covered with stucco in immitation of stone, and has a steeple surmounted by a dome, which rests on eight columns. The inside of this church is neatly fitted up, and the galleries supported by light cast iron pillars. There are seats for 1650 persons, 400 of which are free, and a small gallery is allotted to the organ and choir. This edifice was erected by John Gladstone, Esq., at an expense of about £12,000. It is situate in Renshaw-street, and was opened for divine service on the 6th of August, 1815, but was afterwards enlarged in the year 1827.

ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH.

This structure is situate in Hardman-street, and was opened for public worship on the 3d of November, 1816, having been erected by Mr. John Cragg, at the cost of about £12,000. It is built in the Gothic style of architecture, with brick walls, adorned with cast iron pinnacles. The outside is painted so as to give it the appearance of stone. The interior of this church is neatly furnished with pews, affording accommodation for 1000 persons, including 150 free