Salvation Army Barracks, Union Street, Oldham

OLDHAM -  Buildings for the use of the Salvation Army in Oldham are about to be erected in Union Street. The accommodation comprises a large main hall to seat 3,000 persons, and which is approached from the street by a short flight of stone steps on to a corridor which runs at right angles, right and left to two staircases, one on either side. Access is also gained from here to the main floor, constructed with a good fall to the speaker's platform. The staircases are the main public exits from a deep gallery extending round the entire length, thereby intersecting the speaker’s platform, which is stepped up from the floor line. As the site is at the corner of two streets no difficulty has been experienced in providing light and air. By the side of the large hall is a smaller one, intended to be used for week-night services, and capable of accommodating 800 persons. This is approached from Union-street by a wide corridor between the main hall and a large shop which stands in front of the small hall. Behind this hall and connected with the main hall is a large catering room, bandsmen’s room, &c. The front of the buildings is of red brick with stone dressings, with a tower running up each side of the main hall, finished with battlements. Tudor-Gothic is the style adopted. The entire block covers an area of 12.250 square feet, and the estimated cost is £4,500. Mr. E. J. Sherwood, of London, is the architect, and the work will be carried out under his superintendence. [Builder 16 January 1886 page 148]

OLDHAM—New buildings for the use of the Salvation Army in Oldham have just been inaugurated. They are situated in Union-street, and the accommodation comprises a large main hall to seat 3,000 persons, a smaller one, intended for week-night services, capable of accommodating 900 persons, a shop, several retiring-rooms, boiler-house, heating-chamber, and the usual necessary appurtenances. The front is of red brick, with stone dressings, with a tower running up each side of the main hall, finished with battlements. Tudor Gothic has been adopted for the architectural treatment. The contractor was Mr. Councillor Holt, of Cheetham, Manchester. The brick and atone work was carried out by Mr. Thomas Whitehead, of Failsworth, Manchester. Mr. J. Williams Dunford acted as assistant architect. Mr. E. J. Sherwood, of Queen Victoria- Street, London, E.C., was the architect. The entire block covers an area of 12,250 square feet, and the cost has been about £5,570. [Builder 13 August 1887 page 253]

Reference    Builder 16 January 1886 page 148
Reference    Builder 16 January 1886 page 148 – tenders