Ducie Independent Chapel York Street, Cheetham Hill Road, Cheetham

NEW INDEPENDENT CHAPEL, CHEETHAM HILL ROAD - The congregation under the pastoral care of the Rev. E. H. Nolan, meeting in a large room, in Cable-street, at the bottom of St. George's Road, have, in consequence or the increasing state of the congregation, had it in contemplation for some time to erect a more suitable and commodious place of worship. Subscriptions were accordingly entered info, and a site was chosen in York-street, Cheetham, near the workhouse toll-bar. The committee appointed to superintend the erection advertised for designs, and unanimously selected those of Mr. A. W. Mills, of this town, architect. The building, we understand, will have a handsome niche in the front, with a panelled dome, in which will be three doors. The side and front of the exterior will be decorated with stone pilasters, supporting a bold stone cornice. The chapel will be 65 feet long, and 55 feet wide; and is intended to seat upwards of a thousand persons, including about 300 free sittings. The estimated cost will be about £3,000; and the chapel is expected to be ready for opening early in the ensuing year. The building has already been raised to the surface, and Thursday last was the day fixed on which to lay the foundation stone. Two or three hundred persons assembled to witness the interesting ceremony; and, after a hymn had been sung, and an appropriate prayer offered up by the Rev. Mr. Griffith, the stone was laid with the customary solemnities, by the Rev. E. H. Nolan. [Manchester Guardian 18 May 1839 page 3]

OPENING OF THE NEW CHAPEL YORK-STREET, CHEETHAM HILL ROAD - This chaste and handsome building is an ornament to that part of the town where it is situated. The congregation (of independent dissenters) for which it is erected, have only existed two years, and heretofore worshipped in a room in Cable Street, St. George's Road. They commenced without the certainty or having a chapel erected; few individuals only composing the congregation.  The architect of the new building is Mr. Alexander Mills, and the builder Mr. Wm. Holmes. Several munificent contributions have been given previous to the erection. Mr. Jay, of Bath, who preaches at the opening of the chapel, on Wednesday morning next, enters the 73rd. year of his age the same week; and, notwithstanding his advanced age, retains the same pulpit powers which have made him, perhaps, the popular preacher of the denomination of Christians to which he belongs. [Manchester Guardian 2 May 1840 page 2]

The friends of religion and the public at large are respectfully informed that the primary design in building this place of worship was to afford to the inhabitants of the adjacent thickly populated district an opportunity of hearing the “glorious gospel of the blessed God” [Manchester Guardian 2 May 1840 page 1]

Foundation    May 1839
Opened        5 May 1840 – public prayer meeting.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 9 March 1839 page 1 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 18 May 1839 page 3 - foundation
Reference    Manchester Guardian 2 May 1840 page 2 – opening
Reference    Manchester Guardian 2 May 1840 page 1 – opening services