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Church Lane is one of the oldest streets in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England and one of the few that are still cobbled. It is the only part of the town centre that has survived decades of redevelopment. As a result, all of the buildings on the lane have been designated by English Heritage as Grade II listed buildings.〔http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/oldham/oldham〕 The lane is significant as it was once part of the prehistoric route through the town which meandered from Hathershaw, via Water Street, Market Place, Church Lane, Church Street, Bow Street, Wallshaw Place, Fowleach, Cross Street then on through Hey to Yorkshire.〔Oldham Local Studies Library, The Pre-Roman Roads of Oldham by Frederick J. Stubbs〕 Its existence and name are due to its proximity to Oldham Parish Church. The current church building is a relatively recent addition but there have been churches on that site since the 11th century.〔http://www.holy-cross-oldham.org.uk/oldham-parish-church/history.php〕 Archaeologists recognise Church Lane to predate the Romans and a road that is "probably as old as human life in this corner of England."〔Oldham Local Studies Library, Roads and Their History; When Emperors Used the Highway Through Oldham.〕 The route of Church Lane passed in front of the old church. It was common in ancient times for the road to pass to the south side of the church or temple as that route was in the sun. To pass to the north would fall within the shadow of the church and was seen as taboo. There is still a superstitious prejudice in parts of England against the north side of a church with many important tombs and monuments being placed to the south.〔 In 1785, Church Lane was paved at a cost of £20 probably due to one of Oldham's richest men, John Lees, being a resident and owner of a business on the lane and in anticipation of the new turnpike road that was planned.〔Oldham Local Studies Library, Surveryor's Account Book 1780-81〕 In 1805 the churchyard was enlarged and Church Lane became a cul-de-sac severing the ancient route for ever. The previous continuance of the road (Church Street) was lowered by 6 feet and became an extension of the recently created Church Terrace.〔Oldham Local Studies Library, King's Highway Through Oldham〕 == Turnpike Road == Despite the Turnpike Act 1734, Oldham had no turnpike road to Manchester for another 56 years and Church Lane remained part of the main street through the town. But following the creation of the Manchester, Oldham and Ripponden Trust and a further Act of Parliament the turnpike was constructed.〔Turnpike trusts in Greater Manchester〕 The first regular coach service to Manchester came into operation in October 1790, with a journey time of over 2 hours and a fare 2s.8d (about 13p), with half fare for travellers on top of the coach.〔http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/towns/oldham1.html〕 Church lane bustled with businesses servicing the new road, the most famous of which was the Coach and Horses at 3 Church Lane (known as The Masons Arms between 1804 and 1811).〔Oldham Local Studies Library, Inns and Alehouses 1714-1992〕 Above the door was a Latin inscription: "''Nunc mei, mox hujus, Sead postea, nescio cujus''" which translates as "''Today 'tis mine, Tomorrow, thine, but whose next day I cannot say''".〔Oldham Local Studies Library, Oldham Inns, Taverns and Tokens〕 The pub closed in 1920 but the building survived for a few years as the headquarters of the British Legion until it was demolished in July 1931 to make way for Lord Street. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Church Lane, Oldham」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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