The Gothic Revival architect William Butterfield was invited to draw up plans for the new church and construction began in 1862.

At the time of construction, Bishop Prince Lee was in charge of Manchester Diocese.

Lee, a low churchman, did not take to the ornate decorative style of St Cross and initially refused to consecrate the parish church, despite the opening services happening in 1866.

[3] To the south-west, the church has a high tower, "narrow and tall, with slender angle buttresses and a steep pyramidal roof of banded slate, and a gabled south porch with 2-centred arched doorway".

[3] It has a timber-framed roof with five-bay arcades, with patterns of coloured stone and tiles that have been echoed in late 20th century stencilling.