Joseph Stretch Crowther (1820–1893), usually known as J. S. Crowther, was an English architect who practised in Manchester.
Crowther studied under Richard Tattersall from 1838 to 1843. He then worked as a managing clerk for Henry Bowman until 1846, when Bowman took him into partnership; the firm was known as Bowman and Crowther.
Crowther subsequently established an independent practice, designing churches in the Gothic Revival style and villas in a variety of other styles. He was appointed diocesan architect for Manchester Cathedral and was working on its restoration at the time of his death in March 1893.
Key
Grade CriteriaGrade I Buildings of exceptional interest.Grade II* Particularly important buildings of more than special interest.Grade II Buildings of special interest. "—" denotes a work that is not graded.
Works NameLocationPhotographDateNotesGradeHyde ChapelHyde, Greater Manchester1846–1848A Unitarian chapel designed with Henry Bowman.Mill Hill ChapelLeeds, West Yorkshire1847–48A Unitarian chapel designed with Henry Bowman.St Paul's ChurchPortwood, Stockport,Greater Manchester1849–50A Commissioners' church designed with Henry Bowman. Since demolished.St Lawrence's ChurchCrosby Ravensworth, Cumbria1849–1887A series of restorations undertaken in conjunction with the incumbent Revd George F. Wilson.Holy Trinity ChurchKendal, Cumbria1850–1868Restorations in 1850–52, 1863 and 1868, and design of furnishings.St Philip's ChurchAlderley Edge, Cheshire1851–52New church; Crowther's first design after leaving his partnership with Henry Bowman.Redclyffe GrangeAlderley Edge, Cheshire1853House Crowther built for himself.St Mary's ChurchHulme, Manchester1853–1858New church.SchoolAlderley Edge, Cheshire1854A primary school.HolehirdTroutbeck, Cumbria1854A country house, with later additions. Later a Cheshire Home.Wynlass BeckWindermere, Cumbria1854A house for Peter Kennedy.St Colomba's ChurchWarcop, Cumbria1854–55Rebuilt the chancel in Early English style.St Matthew's ChurchStockport,Greater Manchester1855–1858New church.St Alban's ChurchManchester1857–1864New church.St Mary's ChurchWindermere, Cumbria1857–1871In 1857–58 Crowther added the north aisle and porch, in 1861 the nave was extended, and in 1871 a north transept and a vestry were added.St George's ChurchPoynton, Cheshire1858–59New church.Oak FarmhouseWilmslow, CheshireAdditions to a 16th-century building.St John the Evangelist's ChurchAlvanley, Cheshire1860–61New church.St James' ChurchStaveley, Cumbria1861–1865New church.St Helen's ChurchTarporley, Cheshire1861–1879Series of restorations.Arderne HallTarporley, Cheshire1863House, demolished in 1958, and replaced.ParksideKendal, Cumbria1865A house for Major Bousfield, M.P.St Mary's ChurchAstbury, Cheshire1866Reredos.St Mary's ChurchBury, Greater Manchester1872–1876Crowther replaced the Georgian body of the church with one in Gothic Revival style. He also probably designed the screen between the chapel and the chancel.St Wilfrid's ChurchNorthenden, Manchester1873–1876When Crowther was asked to undertake repairs, he found that there were no foundations under the body of the church. He replaced this in a similar design, leaving the Perpendicular tower unaltered.St Nicholas' ChurchBeverley, East Yorkshire1877–1880New church.St Bartholomew's ChurchWilmslow, Cheshire1878Added a vestry and a porch.St Benedict's ChurchArdwick, Manchester1880New church.Eccle RiggsBroughton-in-Furness, Cumbria1880Addition of a dining-room wing to a house built in 1865 for Richard Assheton Cross, designed by E. G. Paley. It has later been used as a leisure club.St Thomas' ChurchWerneth, Greater Manchester1880sMade additions including a choir vestry and an organ chamber.St Mary's ChurchStockport,Greater Manchester1880–1882Alterations, including to the west window. Crowther also designed the furnishings in the chancel and choir at this time.St Chad's ChurchPoulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire1881–1883Alterations.St Michael and All Angels' ChurchAshton-under-Lyne,Greater Manchester1881–1889Rebuilt the west tower and refitted the chancel.St Bartholomew's ChurchAppleby, North Lincolnshire1882Restoration.St George's ChurchHulme, Manchester1884Restoration of a Commissioners' church, built between 1826 and 1828 and designed by Francis Goodwin.St Chad's ChurchRochdale,Greater Manchester1884–1885Chancel rebuilt and extended.Manchester CathedralManchester1885–86Restoration.St Mary's ChurchLymm, Cheshire1888–1890Tower rebuilt.St Andrew's ChurchEccles, Greater Manchester1889Added the tower.Holy Trinity ChurchLittleborough, Greater Manchester1889Added the chancel.St Wilfrid's ChurchMobberley, Cheshire1889–Started restoration; completed after his death by W. D. Caroe.St John's ChurchScunthorpe,North Lincolnshire1890New church for Rowland Winn, Lord Oswald.
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