Crossley Orphan Home and School. Skircoat Moor Halifax

The original building had been designed by John Hogg of Halifax but work had been halted. Paull and Ayliffe were employed to complete the building with some minor alterations and the provision of a clock tower.

THE CROSSLEY ORPHAN HOME AND SCHOOL, SKIRCOAT MOOR, HALIFAX. The Yorkshire town of Halifax has been peculiarly favoured of late years by substantial proofs of the benevolence and wealth of its “merchant princes,” as well as by the public spirit of its leading men. The recently-erected town hall and the stately piles of commercial buildings and public institutions in the principal streets are proofs of the latter; whilst the ecclesiastical edifices at Haley Hill and “the square”—the almshouses, the public park, the model dwellings for the industrial classes, and other works (the majority already illustrated in our pages), are proofs of the former; and to these a remarkable addition has just been made in the erection of the Orphanage shown by our illustrations. The building was commenced several years ago, by Mr. John Crossley, and was intended for purely educational purposes; but shortly after- wards the scheme was abandoned and the works were stopped. In 1861, the firm of Messrs. John Crossley & Sons (consisting of Mr. John Crossley, Mr. Joseph Crossley, and Sir Francis Crossley, bart.), determined to complete the structure, and adapt it to the purposes of an orphan institution. They entrusted the work to Messrs. Paull & Ayliffe, of Manchester. Active operations were resumed three years ago, and have just been brought to a successful conclusion. The exterior of the building was carried up to the first-floor before the suspension took place. The architects of the Orphanage had therefore to make the best of existing arrangements, and to adapt the exterior treatment to the portions already erected. Internally, little except the enclosure walls of the main structure was retained. The buildings in the rear are wholly additional, and the space now occupied by the dining-hall, &c. was completely cleared and re-arranged. The whole of the masons and joiners' works, and nearly all the works connected with other trades, have been executed by “day-work,” under the superintendence of the architects and the clerk of works, and the entire building is spoken of as a good specimen of materials and workmanship in every department. Accommodation is provided for 450 children, viz., 200 boys, 200 girls, and 50 infants. The cost may be stated in round numbers to be50,000l., exclusive of land. The clerk of works was Mr. Gregory Gill. The building stands on the crown of Skircoat Moor, about a mile from the town, and in the same vicinity as the residences of Mr. John Crossley and Mr. Joseph Crossley. [Builder 7 January 1865 Page 9-10]

Reference           Builder 7 January 1865 Page 9