“Hanover” United Methodist Free Church, Gilnow Road, Bolton

The building contains both school and church. The school is in the lower story, but owing to steep slope of ground has its floor line above back street. This lower story has a large room to seat 350, an infants' room for ',)0, and seven classrooms of various sizes. The church will seat 400, and on the same floor level area minister's vestry, a church parlour, and two other vestries. The materials of the exterior are local red pressed bricks and grey terra-cotta from Messrs Gibbs and Canning. The contracts amount to about £3,500, including electric lighting and heating. Messrs Potts, Son, and Hennings, of Manchester and Bolton, are the architects. [Building News vol 86 21 October 1904 page 577]

STONE-LAYING THIS AFTERNOON - An important ceremony took place this afternoon in Gilnow Road, Bolton, in connection with the United Methodist Free Church, when several stones of the Hanover New Church and School, which are being erected there, were laid by prominent gentlemen. The following is a description of the building: Advantage has been taken the steep slope of the land, and the school although below the church, has its floor above the footpath in the back road. On this lower floor will a hall to seat 350, and an infants’ room for about 80 children, well separated from hall and six classrooms. The upper floor will be two steps above Glinow Road, from which access will be gained by two bridges. On this floor will be the church to seat about 400, church parlour, Minister’s and two other vestries, all on the ground floor. A choir rostrum and organ will be in a spacious chancel. Shallowed transepts will add to the interest both inside and outside. A space has been left on the east side for possible future extensions. The materials outside are to be red pressed bricks, with grey terra cotta dressings. The architects are Messrs Potts, Son and Hemmings (sic). F.R.I.B.A. and the builders J. 
Messrs. J. H. and G. Marsden. The total cost expected to be £4,500. [Bolton Evening News 3 September 1904 page 3] 

OPENING OF GILNOW ROAD U. M. FREE CHURCH – The new Methodist Free Church which has been erected in Gilnow Road, Bolton was formally opened this afternoon when the friends from the old Hanover Street Church, which is now closed, made a ceremonial entry into their new and handsome premises. The building is a two-storey one of red bricks with terra cotta dressings and was erected by Messrs. J. H. and G. Marsden, builders, under the superintendence of Messrs Potts, Son, and Hennings FRIBA, the architects. The total cost, including the site, is about £4,500. Ample provision is made on the ground floor for Sunday school purposes. The large hall will seat about 350 persons and there are also an infants’ room to accommodate 80 children and half-a-dozen classrooms. The upper floor, two steps above Gilnow Road, comprises the church to seat about 400, a parlour, minister’s and two other vestries. The whole building is thoroughly well-equipped on modern lines and is well-lighted, by electricity. [Bolton Evening News Monday 11 September 1905 page 3]

Reference    Building News vol 86 21 October 1904 page 577 and illustration
Reference    Bolton Evening News 3 September 1904 page 3 – stone laying
Reference    Bolton Evening News Monday 11 September 1905 page 3 - opening