Historic church demolished after partial roof collapse
BBCA Grade II listed church has been demolished after part of its roof collapsed, Manchester City Council has said.
The former Church of All Souls building in Ancoats, Manchester, on Every Street dates back to 1840.
Manchester City Council said a structural survey found the building was at risk of collapse and needed to be demolished for public safety reasons.
Historic England said it was "sorry to hear" of the loss of a building that was "an important part of Manchester's historic environment".
Historic England said the Church of All Souls was built between 1839 and 1840 by William Haley in the Romanesque style for Dr Samuel Warren.
The derelict church was described as "the holy grail of redevelopment properties" when it was put up for auction in December 2024.
It had not been used for religious or community purposes for four decades and has since fallen into disrepair, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has said.
It was added to Save Britain's Heritage buildings at risk register in 2023.
The BBC has contacted Save Britain's Heritage for comment.
A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: "The council's building control team were called out to the Church of all Souls property in August due to public safety concerns following the partial collapse of the roof.
"Since, a structural survey has confirmed the building is at risk of collapse and for public safety requires demolition under the Buildings Act.
They continued: "The council's approach is preservation first.
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