Primitive Methodist Chapel and Schools, Henshaw Street, Oldham

The foundation stone was laid on Good Friday. The chapel is set back six feet only from Henshaw Street and will present a good frontage to anyone going up Henshaw Street, immediately after leaving the Market Place. It will be built of brick with a liberal supply of stone dressings. The principal entrance will consist of two large openings, 6 feet 6 inches wide each, flanked by stone pillars with carved capitals, and surmounted with projecting cornice and entablature, will be approached by a bold flight of stone steps, and will form an imposing feature in the design. Immediately above the entrance will be a circular window 10 feet in diameter, encircled with moulded stone arch; and on each side the entrance are placed the staircases leading to the galleries, the whole being surmounted by a corbelled stone cornice with pediment over the central portion,. The side to Henshaw Street is divided into bays by projecting pilasters with moulded stone bases and caps, with coupled windows in each bay, which have segmental arches to the ground floor and semi-circular arches to the gallery, the front cornice being carried along the whole length of this front. The internal fittings are to be pitch pine varnished. The whole of the seats, both in the body of the chapel and the gallery, will be open benches with ornamental solid pitch pine bench ends. The galleries will be approached by two flights of stairs and also have communication with the school staircase, which may be used in conjunction with the others when required. The centre of the ceiling will be divided into six panels and will be surrounded by a cove projecting from the walls several feet, the panels being alternately filled in with very large centre flowers and starlights by means of which the chapel is intended to be lighted. The orchestra will be recessed from the main portion and will be separated therefrom with a moulded arch supported on enriched trusses. The school has aits principal front towards Henshaw Street, and although of the same character and style as the chapel, is not quite so freely or liberally treated. Separate entrances are provided for boys and girls, the boys= school and infant school occupying the ground floor and the girls= school the upper floor, each being abundantly supplied with classrooms. Provision is also made under two of the classrooms for supplying hot water for tea parties etc. The upper school is approached by two flights of steps, and ample provision is made for ingress and egress, so as to avoid as much as possible, overcrowding at the entrances. Accommodation is provided in the chapel for over 1,000 persons, and the schools are calculated to hold more than 1,000 children. It is intended to heat both chapel and schools with hot air, and the whole, when completed will form an imposing structure, and will be readily seen from all parts of the neighbourhood. The architect is Mr John Wild, Clegg street, Oldham. The entire cost of the building will be upwards of £4,000. The different contracts have been let as follows: excavating work to Mr John Spencer; mason work to Messrs Heywood and Son; the brickwork to Mr Jonathan Partington; the joiner’s work to Mr John Dodd; flagging and slating to Mr David Jackson; the plumbing and glazing to Messrs Hulme Brothers; the plastering to Mr Robert Harris. [The Architect 30 April 1870 page 216]

OLDHAM - The foundation stone of a Primitive Methodist Chapel and schools has been laid in Henshaw‑street, Oldham. The chapel is to seat 1000 persons, and the schoolroom will hold 1000 children. Mr. John Wild, of Oldham, is the architect, and the total cost will be upwards of £4000. The work is taken by several local contractors. [Building News 27 May 1870 page 401]

OLDHAM —The chief stone of a Primitive Methodist Chapel and Schools has been laid in Henshaw-street. The chapel, when completed, will accommodate 1,000 persons, exclusive of the orchestra, the measurement being 29 yards in length, and 17.5 yards in width. The school room will hold 1,000 children. The measurement is to be 21 yards long by 13 yards wide. In connexion with the chapel there will be a minister's vestry and a choir vestry, and in connexion with the school an infant school-room, library, and seven other class-rooms. Mr. John Wild, of Oldham, is architect, and the different contracts have been let as follows: — Excavating work to Mr. J. Spencer; mason work to Messrs. Heywood & Son ; brick-work to Mr. J. Partington ; joiners' work to Mr. J. Dodd ; flagging and slating to Mr. D. Jackson; plumbing and glazing to Messrs. Hulme, Brothers; plastering, Mr. B. Harris. The total amount of the tenders is £3,734 - 18s., which, with the architect's fees, would amount to upwards of£ 4,000. The chapel will be built of bricks with stone dressings. The internal fittings are to be of pitch pine varnished. The whole of the seats both in the body of the chapel and in the gallery will be open benches with solid pitch pine bench-ends. The school has its principal front towards Henshaw-street. It is intended to heat both chapel and schools with hot air. The architect is Mr. John Wild, of Oldham. The entire cost of the buildings will be upwards of £4,000. [Builder 21 May 1870 page 412]

Reference    Builder 21 May 1870 Page 412
Reference    The Architect Volume III 30 April 1870 page 216
Reference    Building News 27 May 1870 page 401