Congregational Church Claremont Road Irlams o’th’Height Salford

CONGREGATIONALISM: NEW CHURCH AT THE HEIGHT - Congregationalist activity in Salford has been very marked of late. New churches are springing up and others were receiving attention in the way of renovation. This has all been brought about by what is known as the "forward movement". Congregationalists have realised the importance of attending to the spiritual welfare of the people who are migrating further afield from the smoky towns and in Lancashire at all events an elaborate scheme of church building in suburban districts is afoot. The Congregational Board not many months ago turned their attention to the Height, and the result of it has been the erection of a new church in Claremont road which was formally opened on Saturday afternoon last by Sir William Stephens. But although the handsome building is fully adapted for the purposes of a church the promoters have been looking ahead and it is hoped that in the not too distant future to erect another building on the land adjoining which will then be the church proper, and the present place will be used for Sunday School services and work will be carried on of an institutional character.

In regard to the building opened by Sir William Stephens on Saturday what is known as the free Renaissance style has been followed in its erection. It has cost £2,500 and has seating accommodation for about 500 people in the main room, where the church services will be conducted. There is also a large lecture theatre at the back, which will be suitable for weekday meetings and Wednesday evening services. Class rooms have also been provided on the ground floor. In the lower storey there is provision for a billiard room provided that the church is worked on institutional lines. There is also a reading room on the same floor. On the first floor are two large rooms which would be well suited for the purpose of a girls' club. The building is electrically lighted throughout. Mr Edward Hewitt FRIBA was the architect and the contractors were Messrs Chapman and Sons, of Patricroft.

There follows a lengthy report of the opening, performed by Sir William Stephens, at which he was presented with a silver key, and the subsequent speeches.

Mr Hewitt (architect) said he wished the people connected with the place every success. The church possessed some capital workers and he would like to say that there were a good many old Charlestown friends of his. It had been very largely through the energy of Mr Willis that the work had gone on. They had had an ideal building committee. Sometimes he felt some very queer things in regard to the bothering of an architect, but the committee in connection with that church from an architect's point of view had been an ideal one. They had left it all in his hands to make the arrangements. He trusted that the church would have eminent success and that the Board would feel that they had done a good thing in building the place.

Reference           Salford City Reporter Saturday 7 September 1907 Page 5