Enlargement: Chorlton Road Congregational Church

CHORLTON ROAD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH – The reopening of this church will be held tonight. For many years the accommodation provided in the church and the adjoining school has been insufficient. Two years ago the congregation resolved to meet the difficulty by enlarging the church and erecting new schools. …. On the first Sunday in April 1874 the last service was held in the old church, so that the work of enlargement has occupied twelve months. …. The enlargement has been effected by pulling down the transept and chancel, taking in the yard between the church and school, extending the nave as far back as the school wall and erecting on the space thus acquired wide galleried double transepts. The number of sittings will be increased from 650 to about 1300 when the alteration in the gallery where the organ now stands shall have been made. Each transept is provided with a spacious new entrance, in which is a stone staircase leading to the gallery. Externally the main roof is continuous with the old roof, and the transepts are marked with large gables, designed in the same style as the other portions of the church. Internally, however, the new portion is covered by a handsome open-timbered roof, instead of plaster, as in the old part. The double transepts are marked by two large pointed arches, each of which is carried on a single stone column. The pulpit end is treated in a somewhat novel manner for a Congregational church. It is divided into a wide central and two narrow side bays by stone columns that carry pointed arches. The central bay contains the pulpit ( the old oak pulpit being retained and re-fixed), stone arcading in the wall above, and over that a large rose window, the gift of Messrs Sutherland Son and Company of Stretford Road. The side bays are intended eventually for the organ, one half being placed on each side. At present the organ is retained in its position in the end gallery until the new part of the church is thoroughly dry. The ventilation has been re-arranged by Messrs Haden, of Trowbridge. The general contractors for the works are Messrs Robinson and Son, of Hyde. The glazing has been executed by Messrs Edmundson and Sons of this city, and the painting and coloured decorations of the whole building has been done by Mr Harwood of Strangeways, under the general supervision of Mr Edward Potts, of Oldham. The new schools, to accommodate 1,400 children, are being erected on a plot of land adjoining he church. It is expected that the opening services in connection with them will be held in September. When they are completed the old schools will be utilised for vestries, lecture room and church keeper’s house. [Manchester Guardian 30 March 1875 page 6]

Reference           Manchester Guardian 30 March 1875 page 6