Building Name

Sherwell Congregational Chapel North Hill Plymouth Devon

Date
1861 - 1864
Street
North Hill
District/Town
Plymouth
County/Country
Devon, England
Work
Competition entry
Contractor
John Finch of Plymouth

The committee for the proposed new Congregational Chapel and Schools at Plymouth have selected the design marked “Utile Dulci,” submitted by Messrs Paull and Ayliffe of Burnley, under whose superintendence the works are to be carried out forthwith. The second premium has been awarded to Mr Tarring of London. Thirty-six designs were sent in.[Builder 15 March 1862 Page 190]

 PLYMOUTH - On Thursday week, the foundation stone was laid of a new congregational chapel in Plymouth. Messrs Paull & Argyle, of Burnley, Lancashire, were the architects, and Mr Finch, of Plymouth, the builder. The contemplated buildings comprise a chapel for 1,200 persons, schoolrooms and class‑rooms for 1,000 children, and a curator's house; but we understand the present effort is limited to the chapel only. The chapel will have a tower, surmounted by a lofty spire. The buildings are designed in Mediaeval spirit, with details of the decorated or 'second pointed' period, and will form a very effective group from any point of view. A flight of steps will lead to a central front entrance vestibule, and lobbies communicating with the ground floor seats, and side entrances are provided to the galleries ; that on the north side being under the tower. The centre front gable is flanked by enclosures to the gallery staircases, which are well designed, aud impart a picturesque effect, as seen in the perspective picture. Over the south staircase, a lofty octagonal roof is [shown, corresponding in position with the tower on the opposite side; and this, together with the transept beyond; and the varied slopes of the principal roofs, present an artistic outline of no ordinary character. Above the central front doorways will he an imposing five‑light window, with traceried head. The side windows are in two tiers; the lower range beneath, and the upper range above the side galleries C and all are to have geometrical tracery. Internally the arrangements are novel and good. Two rows of iron columns, 6 inches diameter, and coupled transversely, with 3 inch space between, and 13 feet apart, divide the whole width of the chapel into three compartments, as ' nave and aisles.' Above the columns will be pointed and moulded arches, five in number, on each side, and supporting the central or ' nave ' roof. This roof is constructed to show an inner ceiling, with sloping sides, divided into compartments by moulded timbers and hammer‑beam trusses, which will obviate the objection of excessive heat or cold attached to open roofs, and at the same time present a lofty interior. The roofs over the >aisles’ are similarly treated, and the spaces between ceilings and roofs are made available for ventilation. The side galleries are four seats deep, exclusive of passage next the walls, and the end gallery extends over the front vestibule, and contains a large number of sittings. In the rear of the pulpit is a spacious apsidal recess for an organ, with lofty and imposing pointed and moulded arch. The floor of this recess is to be level with the pulpit floor, which will not exceed 5 ft. 3 in. above the floor of the chapel: and the effect of this arrangement will be to give full scope for the power of the instrument, and to seemingly unite the lower and upper portions of the congregation. The transepts are to have ceilings of semi‑octagon shape, which will abut against the nave arches, and thus prevent the acoustic defect generally accompanying transepts. Underneath the organ recess is a chamber for Haden's warm air apparatus: and in the rear are vestries for minister and deacons adjoining each other, and provided with all necessary conveniences. The tower and spire will he 150 feet from ground to top of vane. Portland stone will be used for all tracery and delicate dressings and for the spire; and the walls will be built of native stone and lias lime, faced with limestone of dark colour, ranged in courses, and pointed with dark mortar. Light‑coloured limestone will be used in bands, and for all quoins ; and the relieving arches over all doorways and windows will be varied in voissoirs of purple slate and red limestone. The roofs will be covered with Welsh slates, in bands of red and blue. [Building News 12 September 1862 Page 203-204]

Sherwell Congregational Church, now known as Sherwell United Reformed Church, is still situated in Tavistock Road, Plymouth, just at the bottom of North Hill. The Church was erected on the site of one of the town's water-mills that had been destroyed by fire in 1860.  The site was purchased in 1861 for £1,675 and the foundation stone of the Church was laid on Thursday September 4th 1862 by Mr David Derry, son of Mr Richard Derry, who had helped to build the old Norley Chapel.  

Reference    Builder 15 March 1862 Page 190 - Competition entry for Chapel and seven schools - placed first
Reference    Builder 28 June 1862 Page 468 - tenders
Reference    Building News 12 September 1862 Page 203-204 - foundation stone
Reference    Builder 13 September 1862 Page 662 and 667 - foundation stone
Reference    www.plymouthdata.info