St Antony of Padua is a Catholic church in the diocese of Salford, built as a temporary structure in 1903 to serve those who lived and worked in the Trafford ParkFirst planned industrial estate in the world, and still the largest in Europe. industrial estate, in which it is situated. Plans to replace the church with a more substantial structure were never realised.^[1]

Constructed of corrugated galvanised iron, the church is one of the oldest tin tabernaclesPrefabricated ecclesiastical buildings made from corrugated galvanised iron, developed in the mid-19th century initially in Great Britain, built in Britain and exported across the world. in the country still in use,^[2] although regular services ceased in 2009.^[1]

St Antony’s was partially rebuilt and extensively refurbished in 1994, when a new steel frame was introduced, the corrugated iron cladding replaced, and the roof re-tiled.^[1]

Architecture

The building consists of a naveCentral part of a church, used by the laiety. with a western entrance topped by a bell coteShelter containing one or more bells., a chancelPart of a church containing the altar, used by the officiating clergy. and a small sacristyRoom in Christian churches for the storage of liturgical vestments, sacred vessels and parish records. to the southeast. The internal furnishings include a timber reredosLarge ornamented wall, screen, or other structure placed behind the altar in a Christian church., altar and lectern.^[1]

The altar and a stained glass window from the chapelChristian place of prayer and worship, smaller than a church. at Trafford Hall were donated by Lady Annette de Trafford.^[3]