Independent Congregational Chapel, Stockport Road, Ryecroft, Ashton-under-Lyne

THE NEW CONGREGATIONAL CHAPEL, RYECROFT …. The form of the chapel is rectangular, and is built of stone throughout, all the dressings being of Hollington stone. The style of the building is that known as the decorated Gothic. The principal entrances are in the front and are three in number, the centre doorway being a double one, of chaste but efficient design, relieved by carving in the spandrels; each of the doors conducts into a corridor leading to the two staircases, one at either angle; and from this corridor there are there are two corridors leading on each side of the chapel, and secured from view by ornamental groined and glazed screens. Over these corridors galleries are constructed. At the south end of the building there are two vestries, one for the minister, and the other, of larger dimensions, for public use. There is an entrance to these vestries from the west side, with an additional staircase communicating with the singers’ and children’s galleries, which are arranged one over the other. The arrangement of the roof is novel. Two immense timber trusses, running longitudinally, occupy the position and answer the purpose of the pillars and arches which usually form nave and aisles. These trusses are quite open to view, and are made to appear pleasing to the eye by tastefully carved pendants, from which the principals of the roof take their rise. In consequence of this arrangement of the roof and by the elegant supports of the galleries, there is no necessity for a single pillar or column throughout the whole edifice, leaving the entire area of the chapel free and uninterrupted by anything that might intercept the view or interfere with the direct communication of sound. The pulpit is of dimensions sufficiently large to admit of its being used as a platform on ordinary occasions. The seats are commodious, and are made of deal, as is all the woodwork, which is stained and varnished. The gas fittings are entirely of bright brass-work, including the main pipes. The building is heated throughout by hot water. The chapel will accommodate 800 adults and 150 children, and the total cost, including the boundary walls to the yard, lighting and warming apparatus with architect’s commission and the clerk of the works salary, is estimated at £3850. Messrs Wright and Schoffield of Nottingham, were the builders; the gas apparatus was fitted up by Mr Bailey of Nottingham; and the heating apparatus by Mr M’Kay of Ashton-under-Lyne

The Church was situated with boundaries being Stockport Road, William Street (at the side of the building) and Bollington Street (to the rear).  The fourth side was an open plot until pre-fabs were built during the war. The building formed three sections with the Church to the left, a section running along the back which contained small rooms and to the right was the Sunday School, in the centre was an open plot of land.

Foundation    stone laid on 26 June 1852 by  Abel Buckley Esq
Opened        8 June 1853
Closed         4th June 1967, due to extensive dry rot.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 4 June 1853 page 1 – notice of opening
Reference    Manchester Guardian 15 June 1853 page 6 - opened Wednesday last