Congregational Church Exchange Street Great Driffield Yorkshire: East Riding

OPENING OF NEW CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, DRIFFIELD -This church, erected on the site of the old Independent chapel built in 1803, was opened on Tuesday evening. It is from the designs and plans of H. J. Paull, Esq., architect, of Manchester; and is a very handsome edifice. It is in the Italian Gothic style. The Front elevation has a bold and striking effect, and terminates in an acutely-pitched gable, surmounted by a St. Andrew's cross. There are two entrances, with handsome stone porches, and six windows, three and three. It is built of red brick, relieved with white brick string courses and stone dressings. The shafts of the stone columns are of red Mansfield stone, and have carved capitals. The interior arrangements are particularly elegant, and are universally admired. On the ground floor are three rows of open stalls. A gallery extends the whole circumference of the chapel, and has circular ends with low fronts, relieved by the insertion of open ornamental ironwork under the top rail. The seats in the gallery are all open, and at the end facing the pulpit ascend to a considerable height. At the opposite end is a recess for a new and first-class organ, which' is in course of building. In consequence of the site of the church being blocked up on both sides by existing buildings a difficulty presented itself in obtaining the necessary lights. This has been effectually overcome by the architect, who has introduced eight ornamental lights in the roof. The pulpit is at the south end of the chapel, and is of red-pine, neatly ornamented and carved in keeping with the principal front. Behind the pulpit is the vestry, and beneath it is the warming apparatus. Gas has been introduced, and the gallery is lighted by four richly-illuminated gasaliers. The roof is divided into compartments by stained rafters, and ventilators are introduced between them in the form of beautifully-illuminated geometrical figures; which produce a fine effect. The stalls and gallery are red deal varnished. The whole interior arrangement has a very chaste and tasteful appearance, which pleasingly contrasts with its graceful curves with the square, high, stiff pews of the old dissenting chapels, and the heavy high-fronted galleries. The church is capable of seating 600 persons, and has cost nearly £1,500. [Hull Packet 28 June 1867 page 7]

Reference    Hull Packet 28 June 1867 page 7
Reference    Builder 11 August 1866 Page 602 with notes