Francis William Crossley by Rev Dr Herbert Boyd McGonigle

After training to be an engineer in the engine works of Sir Robert Stephenson, Francis Crossley felt drawn to a life of inward change. The great desire of Francis Crossley’s life was to bring men and women to the realization of life with Christ.

Francis felt that his life was becoming too opulent and that his inward spiritual life ought to be employed in personal efforts amongst the poor. When he came to this decision he searched carefully for the most needy district in Manchester and decided on Ancoats. There was an old music-hall called Star and on this and neighbouring streets he built his mission-hall and dwelling house and training homes for missionaries.