Belgrave Independent Chapel and Schools. Over Darwen

OVER DARWEN - The foundation-stone of the additions to the Belgrave Independent Chapel schools was laid on New Year’s Day. They are situated in the Bolton Road. The design is in character with the present chapel, which is of the Perpendicular style, local stone parpoints with ashlar dressings will be used, the windows to have tracery heads. The lecture hall is to have an open-framed timbered roof. The additions consist of a lecture-hall, 86 feet by 41 feet, capable of seating 500 persons, and has a prominent tower entrance and staircase. Under the above is an infants’ school, 38 feet by 15 feet 6 inches, and a Sunday-school, 46 feet by 41 feet, with four class-rooms, 17 feet by 12 feet These are connected by a passage with the chapel vestries and play-ground at back of the chapel, also with a mixed day-school, 54 feet by 28 feet 6 inches, and eight class-rooms, approached by a staircase; and adjacent thereto are cloak-rooms, lavatory, library, and tea-room. The total accommodation provided is for eight hundred children. The chapel will have a new organ-chamber, which will join the new block of buildings to the present chapel. The contract is being carried out for the sum of £5,000. The contractors for the works arc Messrs Lloyd & Millward, of Over Darwen. The architect is Mr. W. Kenyon Knapp, late Ernest Bates, of Manchester. [Builder12 January 1878 page 47]

Reference    British Architect 11 January 1878 Page 23
Reference    Builder12 January 1878 page 47
Reference    British Architect 1 August 1879 Page 31 and 48