Independent Chapel, Droylsden

DROYLSDEN (LANCASHIRE) — An Independent chapel was opened here on November 23rd. The plan forms a parallelogram, 63 feet long by 35 feet wide inside, with porches on each side of front elevation, making the front in all 53 feet wide, This front is divided into five compartments, including the centre one, which has a large five-light window, with tracery of flamboyant character. The main school-room (underneath the chapel), is 35 feet square, with nine class-rooms opening out of it, including an infants' class-room, 22 feet by 13 feet. Most of the class-room doors are folding ones. The chapel has one end gallery, and is built of sufficient height to allow of future side galleries. The cost of the whole, including lighting, heating boundary-walls, &c, will be about £1,900. The exterior is faced with red bricks, relieved at intervals with bands of white fire-brick, and with York stone dressings to doors and windows. The tower is surmounted with a spire, square on plan, the whole rising to 90 feet in height. There is accommodation for 400 adults, on ground-floor, and 116 in end gallery, making a total of 516 sittings, exclusive of side galleries. The school will accommodate some 400 scholars. The architect was Mr R  M. Smith, of Manchester; the builders, Messrs. Bates, Baguley, & Bates, of Droylsden. [Builder 3 December 1859 page 796]

Opened        23 November 1859

Reference    Manchester Guardian 12 March 1859 page 6
Reference    Building News 18 March 1859 page 274
Reference     Builder 3 December 1859 page 796