Cathedral House, 250 Chapel Street, Salford

SALFORD - Episcopal Residence and Seminary for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Salford - This large and important structure externally is now all but completed. The front facing Chapel-street will, when completed, form two sides of an irregular square, the Cathedral forming the third, whilst the fourth will be open to the street. The base of this square runs out from the Cathedral, just beyond the gable of the southern transept, and presents in its centre a spacious porch flanked by granite columns, and in the construction of which glass is largely employed in deference to our murky atmosphere. On entering, right and left are parlours, and in front is a fine corridor 7 feet wide and extending the length of this part of the building, and terminating to the right in a spacious and elegant sacristy, measuring 34 feet 4in. by 18 feet, and opening directly into the choir aisle of the Cathedral. At the other extremity of the corridor is the great staircase, borne on granite shafts, and constructed on the model of the noble stairs of the Italian Palazzi. Between these extremities lie the public dining-room or refectory, 40 feet by 17 feet, and extensive domestic offices communicating with large cellarage and storage in the basement, and a tradesmen's entrance from Victoria-street. Turning into the side or return wing is an apartment of unusual dignity and importance—the Diocesan Library, measuring 60 feet by 26 feet and running up the heights of two floors, with an upper gallery borne on light columns. The library is to be open to the public, and there are large rooms below, to be devoted to amusements and club purposes for the benefit of the Catholic population. The whole of the fittings of this fine room are beautifully carried out in pitch pine, and a lofty double tier of windows ensures an ample flood of light. The first floor of the centre body of the building is reached by the staircase, to which we have before referred, and which will be lit by a vast lantern rising above the roof, and adorned by a series of arcadings opening on to the different floors, whilst niches, fitted with statuary, will give still greater elegance and importance to this important feature of the building. The whole of this portion of the. first floor is given up to the residence of the Bishop of Salford, and embraces private and public reception rooms, secretary's room, archives, and domestic chapel. The two upper floors are devoted to the apartments for the resident clergy of the Cathedral and accommodation for students. These various rooms are all spacious and well lit, and throughout the whole house every appliance for sanitary convenience and a hot-water heating apparatus are supplied; whilst a certain air of monastic simplicity and a total absence of ornament for ornament's sake reign everywhere. At the rear of the building, and filling up the space left between the Cathedral and St. John's Schools, is a cloister, giving convenience for exercise under cover, and for the carrying out of religious processions, etc., in connection with the Cathedral services. The whole circuit of the cloister is 260 feet and its width 10 feet The contractor is Mr. Southern, of Salford, Mr. Weatherley is clerk of works, and the architects Messrs. Goldie and Childs, of London. [British Architect 30 October 1874 page 283]

Reference           British Architect 30 October 1874 page 283