St Mark's Church, Dukinfield

St Mark’s Church viewed looking east from Railway St.

The building on the right is the church hall which opened in 1984.

This Anglican church was built in 1848-49 and the architect was Joseph Clarke (1819-1888) of London on behalf of the Church Commissioners. It was built in stone with a slate roof following the formation of the new Parish of St Mark, Dukinfield. The tower was added in 1880-81 and the architect was Col John Eaton Jr (1838-25 Nov 1905) of John Eaton & Sons whose architectural practice was at Ashton-under-Lyne. He was responsible for two other commissions in Dukinfield, namely the nearby St Luke’s Church and Dukinfield Town Hall, both of which are on King St. John Eaton was the Lieutenant Colonel and Honorary Colonel of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion of the Manchester Regiment (Ashton Volunteers).

A life-long member of St Mark’s Church was the actress Kathy Staff and a blue plaque dedicated to her is fixed on the wall of the Church Hall. She was best known for her role as Nora Batty in 'Last of the Summer Wine'. Kathy Staff was born at Dukinfield as Minnie Higginbottom and she started her acting career as Katherine Brant. She married John William Staff at St Mark’s Church in 1951.

TAMESIDE METROPOLITAN BOROUGH KATHY STAFF 1928-2008 Well-loved actress and lifelong member of St Mark’s Church Born in Dukinfield, she was best known for her role as Nora Batty in the BBC’s longest running comedy ‘Last of the Summer Wine’. In addition to her varied and extensive career in television, she also found success in films and the theatre. Patron of many charitable organisations, she was always intensely proud to be a Dukinfield girl. Unveiled by close friend and fellow actor Roy Barraclough MBE 11 March 2011