Congregational (United Reform) Church, Kent’s Bank Road, Grange over Sands

The congregation was founded in 1889 by the Lancashire Congregational Union.  This building was opened for Divine Service in 1895, with seating for 330 worshippers, an adjoining Vestry and Lecture Hall at a total cost of £2,400. Subscriptions raised amounted to £l,200. The Church was designed by E H Dawson and built by James Garden of Dalton-in-Furness. Stones for quoins came from Haworth near Leeds and roof slates from local quarries. An old record describes the architecture as well-proportioned, having an early French Gothic character and well suited to express simplicity of faith and worship. Its first Minister was Rev. W J Burman.

A wooden chapel was built on the present site in 1891. This soon became too small and was replaced by the present church which opened for worship in August 1895. Originally seating was provided for 330, but subsequent alterations have reduced this to around 280. In the worship area the pulpit is placed centrally. The door to the left of this leads into the minister’s vestry, which was built in 1908, while the door on the right accesses the hall. The capital carvings were donated by the architect in memory of his mother.

• Foundation         Stone laid 15 September 1894 (on the north side wall)
• Opened              22 August 1895

Reference        British Architect 20 December 1895 Page 470