Roby Day and Sunday Schools, Aytoun Street, Manchester
Notice of the laying of the foundation stone of the Roby Day and Sunday Schools in Aytoun Street Manchester on 6 July 1844 appeared in that day's edition of the Manchester Guardian. It is assumed that this is the same building for which tenders were sought by Alexander Mills five weeks previously
THIS DAY the FOUNDATION STONE of the New Schools, called the “Roby Day and Sunday Schools” belonging to Grosvenor Street Chapel, Piccadilly, and situated at the back of the Chapel in Aytoun Street, will be laid by Samuel Fletcher Esq at six o’clock precisely. Manchester July 6 1844. [Manchester Guardian Saturday 6 July 1844 Page 1]
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE ROBY DAY AND SUNDAY SCHOOLS – The foundation stone of the new schools called the “Roby Day and Sunday Schools,” belonging to Grosvenor Street Chapel, Piccadilly, was laid on Saturday evening last by Mr Samuel Fletcher. These schools we believe, will be the first erected in connection with the great educational movement commenced about a year ago amongst this body of dissenters, when a very large amount of money was subscribed at a public meeting in London for educational purposes. The schools are to be erected over the chapel yard, at the back of the chapel, in Aytoun Street; and, in order to avoid any interference with the interments beneath, it is intended to carry the walls on iron beams and pillars at the back, and on decorated arches at the front. The building will be two storeys high above the chapel yard. The first storey will be approached by two staircases, one at either end of the building, and will consist of a large school-room, 67 feet long and 35 feet wide; a library about 30 feet long by 21 feet wide, which it is intended shall be kept open in the evening for the use of those connected with the schools; and two spacious classrooms. The upper floor will consist of one large room 90 feet long and 36 feet wide, with two large class rooms. The school rooms will be lighted from both sides. The principal elevation is to be finished in red brick and stone. We have before us an engraving of the principal front, which is in the Elizabethan style of architecture from a design by Mr Alexander W Mills.[ Manchester Guardian 13 July 1844 page 4]
The Roby Day and Sunday Schools, for children of the independent denomination, situate in Aytoun- street, were built a short time ago from designs by Mr A. W Mills, architect. The building is in the Elizabethan style, and of best brick and stone. Considerable skill is displayed in the arrangement for supporting the building so as not to interfere with the burial ground over which it is erected; the front wall goes down to good brick foundations, but the back part is carried on iron pillars and beams. There are three gates into the yard through the lower part of the front wall, and also other smaller arches which are filled in with ornamental ironwork. Above are three projecting oriel windows of two storeys; the front is surmounted by ornamental gables. The internal arrangements are spacious and well ventilated. [The Civil Engineer and Architects Journal. January, 1846].
Amongst the schools we may mention, the Roby schools, in a street leading out of Portland Street. The style is Elizabethan and they were designed by Mr Walters,(sic) who has succeeded in producing a very meritorious work. The building is supported upon iron columns, being built over the playground. The lower storey has a series of arches of different sizes, filled with iron-work. Above are lofty bow windows, projecting chimneys and gables; the whole arranged in a very skilful manner. The materials are red brick and stone. [Builder 15 November 1845 page 548]
Reference Manchester Guardian Saturday 1 June 1844 Page 1 (Contracts)
Reference Manchester Guardian Saturday 6 July 1844 Page 1 Col 1
Reference Manchester Guardian 13 July 1844 page 4 – foundation stone
Reference The Civil Engineer and Architects Journal. January, 1846
Reference Builder 15 November 1845 page 548 – architect incorrectly given as Walters