Building Name

Parish Schools, Albert Street, Eccles

Date
1864 - 1866
Street
Albert Street
District/Town
Eccles
County/Country
GMCA, England
Work
New Build

NEW PARISH SCHOOL AT ECCLES - The foundation stone of the new Parish School at Eccles was laid last evening by the Vicar, the Rev J P Pitcairn, in the presence of several members of the Committee and a large number of ladies. .... The new building is intended to accommodate 600 children. In the centre is a large room, about 74 feet by 30 feet which is the infants’ school and will also serve for parish meetings and other gatherings; on the north side is the boys’ room, and on the south the girls’. There are also three large classrooms. The large schoolroom has an entrance at the back for children, and an elaborate gabled porch in front for the use of visitors and on public occasions. The architectural style is a simple type of gothic. The materials for the walls is red brick with strings and ornamental patterns in blue brick. White Stourton stone is used for dressings in the windows and elsewhere. In the basement is a kitchen, where the elder girls will be taught cooking and other domestic duties. The work has been let in separate contracts, to the respective tradesmen, most of whom are of the neighbourhood. The architect is Mr J Medland Taylor, of St Ann’s Churchyard, Manchester. The cost will be about £2,500 which is being raised by subscription. [Manchester Guardian  5 August 1864 page 4]

NEW CHURCH SCHOOLS ECCLES. Last evening, the Rev. J. P. Pitcairn, vicar of Eccles, laid the foundation-stone of a building be used as a schoolroom in connection with the Parish Church of Eccles. … The building, of which the first stone was laid last evening, was designed by and carried out under the superintendence of Mr. Medland Taylor. The style of architecture is simple pointed Gothic. The walls will be of red brick, relieved by bands and patterns of the same material. The roofs will be covered with purple and blue slates. The large roofs of the central building will be broken up by five gables, that in the centre being the largest, and surmounted by an open timbered belfry, which will contain a good sounding bell. The chimneys breaking up at several points will aid in giving great variety to the sky-line. In the treatment of the building the endeavour has been made to give it a thoroughly ecclesiastical appearance in order to indicate its connection with the Church. While the building will be thoroughly substantial, and the decorative features considerably more than usual in school buildings, the cost has been limited to an extremely moderate amount.  The work has been let in several contracts to builders in the neighbourhood. The principal front will be towards Albert-street, and the total cost, including the fittings, will be about £2,500. The fittings in the large room will be removable, in order to adapt it for public meetings. The schools cover a rectangular plot of ground. The large room in the centre is 74 feet by 30 feet. At the back of the building will be a porch for the children's entrance' and a more elaborate gabled porch fronting Albert Street.  On the north side of the large room will be the boys ' school and on the south the girls' school, each having separate entrances and play-grounds. There will also be three large class-rooms. All the rooms will be lofty anf thoroughly ventilated. In the basement will be a kitchen in which cooking, washing, and domestic work will be taught to the girls.  [Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser Saturday 5 August 1865 Page 5]

ECCLES —The foundation of a new Parish School, at Eccles, near Manchester, was laid last week. The new building is intended to accommodate 600 children. The architectural style is a simple type of Gothic. The material for the walls is red brick, with strings and ornamental patterns in blue brick. White Stourton stone is used for dressings in the windows and elsewhere. The architect is Mr. J. Medland Taylor, of St. Ann's Churchyard, Manchester. The cost will be about £2,500. [Building News 11 August 1865 Page 571]

ECCLES - The new schools belonging to the parish church of Eccles have been formally opened. The schools are centrally situated in the village, in Albert-street, a few hundred yards to the west of the old church. The building comprises an infants' room 74 feet by 30 feet, which is also adapted for parish meetings and other gatherings. It will hold 300 children arranged on the Government plan, but 400 to 500 may assemble in it. The work has been let in separate contracts to Messrs Bradbury, Griffith and Johnson, Pendlebury, Dovey Wooler, Ward & Harwood and George Kirkley who will work under the superintendence of the architect, Mr J Medland Taylor. [Builder 6 October 1866 Page 750]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 5 August 1864 page 4 - foundation stone
Reference    Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser 5 August 1865 Page 5
Reference    Building News 11 August 1865 Page 571
Reference    Builder 6 October 1866 Page 750