Baptist Chapel Moss Lane East Moss Side

OPENING OF A NEW BAPTIST CHAPEL.  The new Baptist Chapel in Moss Lane East was formally opened last evening. When the old chapel in York Street was sold in 1869, the Trustees agreed to appropriate £10,000 for the erection of a new chapel and schools and the site in Moss Lane East was selected for the purpose, £1,240 being expended in the purchase of the freehold. The style of the building is Gothic, but without the tower and spire, it being felt that a tower and spire would appear to disadvantage in the close proximity in which the building stands to the commanding spire of St Mary’s Church. In lieu of these the plan was adopted of flanking the front gable with pinnacled turrets. The entire range of buildings comprising the chapel, schools, vestries, etc, covers a space of ground measuring 106 feet by 135 feet; and the chapel itself is 98 feet long and 49 feet wide, the width across the transepts being 60 feet. The height of the front gable is 65 feet. The interior is divided into nave and aisles, separated by iron columns and timber framing, and it contains 850 appropriated sittings. Galleries run round three sides of the building. The front entrances are arranged expressly to ensure that all the congregation, whether going to the galleries or ground floor, shall pass the offertory box on entering. This box is placed against the vestibule wall opposite the central doorway to which it is intended to confine the entire congregation on entering, other doorways being provided in addition for exit. The school building, which is designed so as to harmonise with the chapel, contains on the ground floor a schoolroom, which measures 50 feet by 30 feet and is 15 feet high, and infants’ classroom with raised gallery, for 100 infants. Over these are apartments for the chapel-keeper, which may be used as classrooms if so required. A tea-room and three vestries complete the apartments. The architects are Messrs Paull and Robinson St Peter’s Square, Manchester; and the general contractor is Mr Joseph Robinson junior of Hyde. [Manchester Guardian 10 July 1872 page 5].

MANCHESTER. - A new Baptist Chapel in Moss Lane East, Manchester, was formally opened on Tuesday. The style of the building is Gothic. The entire range of buildings, comprising the chapel, schools, vestries, &c., covers a space of ground measuring 100 feet by 135 feet; and the chapel itself is 98 feet long and 49 feet wide, the width across the transepts being 60 feet The height of the front gable is 65 feet The interior is divided into nave and aisles, separated by iron columns and timber framing, and it contains 850 appropriated sittings. Galleries run round three sides of the building. The architects are Messrs Paull & Robinson, St Peter's‑square, Manchester, and the general contractor is Mr Joseph Robinson, junior, of Hyde. [Building News 12 July 1872 page 38]

MANCHESTER - A new Baptist Chapel and Schools were opened in Moss‑lane, East Manchester, on the 9th inst. The style of the building is Gothic. In lieu of tower and spire, the front gable of the chapel is flanked with pinnacles and turrets. The walls are externally faced with pitch‑faced wall stones. The windows, doors, and turrets are of Welsh sandstone. The chapel, which is 98 feet long by 49 feet wide (the width across the transepts being 60 feet), is entered through a three‑arched groined porch. The caps of the columns supporting arches of porch, together with some panels in arch spandrels, corbels, and finials, are very richly carved. The interior is divided into nave and aisles. The roof is open‑timbered, and has a very handsome effect. It is supported partly on stone corbels in side walls and partly on iron columns, which divide the nave from the aisles. Galleries run round three sides of the building, and the organ gallery, which is separated from the body of the chapel by a fine stone, triple arcade, with carved capitals, is in an apse situated behind the pulpit. The chapel contains 850 appropriated sittings. The school buildings contain oh the ground floor a school‑room 50 feet by 30 feet, which is 15 feet. high, and an infant class‑room with raised gallery for 100 infants. Over these are compartments for the chapel‑keeper, a lecture‑room, and class‑rooms. The tea‑rooms and vestries complete the arrangement. The cost of the building is about ,10,000. The architects are Messrs. Paull & Robinson, of Manchester; the general builder being Mr. Joseph Robinson, junior, of Hyde. The carving was done by Mr Evan Williams, now of the firm of Evan Williams & Millson, of City‑road, Manchester ; the heating by Messrs Haden, of Trowbridge; and the gas‑fittings were supplied by Mr J W Dovey, of Manchester.  [Building News 19 July 1872 page 51]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 10 July 1872 page 5
Reference    Building News 12 July 1872 page 38]
Reference    Building News 19 July 1872 page 51