Mission Hall Branson Street Holt Town Ancoats

OPENING OF MISSION HALL IN HOLT TOWN, ANCOATS. —The Bishop of Manchester last night formally opened a commodious mission hall, which has been erected in Branson-street, the locality known as Holt Town, in the parish of St. Philip's, Ancoats. The neighbourhood which the mission hall has been placed is thronged by a dense population, exclusively of the labouring class which experience has shown to be the most difficult to attract to ordinary places of worship. The building, which has cost nearly £1,000, and will accommodate about 800 persons, has been erected mainly for the purposes of the work of the branch of the Church Army in the parish, formerly carried on in wooden and canvass erection, which was demolished in a severe gale about year ago. The hall is about 80 feet long by 40 feet wide, and addition to this main building there are two class-rooms and room for mothers' meetings. The large hall has open roof, and is lighted by long skylights, and are two entrances, from Branson Street and Cym Street. The furniture is simple but comfortable. The architects were Messrs Tate and Popplewell, and the contractor Mr. Gerrard, Swinton. [Manchester Courier 22 November 1884 page 6]

Reference           Manchester Courier 22 November 1884 page 6]