Primitive Methodist School-Chapel, Miller Street, Heywood

On Saturday afternoon eight stones were formally laid in the news school-chapel which is being erected for the primitive Methodists in Miller Street, Heywood. This building will be better adapted for its purpose than the old chapel which had been taken down to make room for the new room for the new structure, It will include a room 40 feet by 30 feet with rostrum and choir platform. There will also be two large classrooms separated from the principal room by revolving shutters so that at times the whole space may be utilised for the accommodation of large congregations. At the Miller Street end of the building there is to be a gallery, and two more classrooms will be provided by means of moveable screens. All the rooms are to be lofty and well lighted. The building is to be of brick with stone dressings and adequate heating and ventilation will be provided. Mr John B Thornley of Darwen has prepared the plans and the erection of the new chapel has been entrusted to Councillor S Barker of Heywood. [Heywood Advertiser 6 July 1900 page 8]

MILLER-STREET CHAPEL. THE OPENING SERVICES.  The new Primitive Methodist Chapel in Miller-street, Heywood, was opened on Tuesday afternoon by Mr. Frank Heyworth of Heywood, in the presence of a large number of friends.  The chapel, which has been erected on the site of the old one, will serve the double purpose of Sunday school and church.  It consists of a room 40 feet by 30 feet, with rostrum and choir platform, and two large classrooms.  The classrooms are separated from the school by revolving shutters, so that it may be used as a part of the big room for the purpose of assembly.  At the Miller-street end a gallery is arranged, with two large classroom opening onto same with glazed, part movable screens.  The entrances are wide and spacious, and all the rooms are lofty and well lit.  The walling of the building is of brickwork, faced on the principal front with Baxenden double pressed facing bricks.  The dressings are of York stone used sparingly, and the roofs are covered with Welsh slates.  The heating is by hot water on the low pressure system, and ventilation is obtained by means of Tobin’s fresh air inlets with strong exhaust ventilator on roof connected with vent trunks for extraction of vitiated air.  The buildings have been designed in the late Gothic style of a plain yet dignified character.  Councillor S. Barker of Heywood is he contractor, and the work has been carried out from the designs and under the superintendence of Mr. John B. Thornley, architect and surveyor, of 45, Market-street, Darwen. [Heywood Advertiser 9 November 1900 page 4]

Reference    Heywood Advertiser 6 July 1900 page 8 – memorial stones
Reference    Heywood Advertiser 9 November 1900 page 4 – opening