New Jerusalem Church Schools, Peter Street, Manchester

PETER STREET NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH SCHOOLS, MANCHESTER – Parties desirous of tendering for the above building may see the plans and specification at Mr Chadwick’s offices, Clarence Buildings, Booth Street, Manchester on and after the 19th inst. Sealed tenders, addressed to the committee, to be delivered on or before 3rd April. James Wilson FSA, architect, 1 Belmont, Bath.

MANCHESTER NEW CHURCH SCHOOLS - Nearly opposite the Free-trade Hall, and adjoining the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian) Church, a new structure has just been finished, to accommodate the day and Sunday schools connected with the above place. It is in the Byzantine style, constructed with pierpoints and red bricks with dressings of Yorkshire stone. The entrance door, in the centre, is deeply moulded, and has polished granite pillars, with richly-carved caps and archivolts, and over it is wheel window, with coloured glass, connected with small arches on either side, which are filled in with encaustic tiles. and produce, in combination with the other features. a rich and pleasing effect. The windows are deeply moulded, and have polished granite pillars, similar in character to those of the door. A ventilator, in carved stone, with pillars or polished granite, crowns the gable. The interior gives a room on the ground floor 66 feet by 32 feet, and another room over the back part of it, 32 feet by 30 feet.  The larger room has for the most part a roof framed with open timbers; these are arched and braced, and are stained to resemble oak. Between the rafters are large glass panels lighting the room, and other panels adorned with stencilling. The upper room is well lighted from circular-headed windows in the rear, and from the roof. Messrs Statham and Son, of Pendleton, have built the place from the designs of Mr James Wilson. F.S.A. of Bath, who has received much commendation for the ability here shown. Of the £1,500 required to defray the cost of the building and its fittings, nearly £1,400 has already been given by the members and friends of the Peter-street New Church congregation, including £250 subscribed at the inaugural meeting, held on the premises last Wednesday. Upwards of 300 persons then partook of tea. ...... The boys' and girls' schools. to be accommodated in future in the new building have heretofore been conducted in smaller rooms behind the church, and have for many years past laboured under very great disadvantages owing to the want of room. They have, notwithstanding this, been so ably managed, under the care of Mr. Joseph Moss as to obtain from Her Majesty's inspectors of schools, and from many other gentlemen or various denominations who have tested the character of the education given in them, most marked testimonies of approval. The number of girls now in the day school is now 200, and of boys 200. [Manchester Guardian 28 December 1857 page 3].

In 1884 the church and school were converted into the spinning and weaving departments of the Technical School. Photographs in Manchester Local History Collection indicate little change to the exterior following conversion. Image ref M64138 shows interior of school towards Peter Street. The buildings were demolished for the building of the Albert Halls (qv)