The Mission Hall, Owen Street-City Road Hulme Manchester.

THE CITY ROAD MISSION HALL - The foundation stone of the mission hall about to be erected at the corner of Owen Street and City Road, Manchester, was laid on Saturday afternoon by Mrs John Galloway, junior. The hall is a development of a work commenced in this poor and crowded part of the city by the late Mr Douglas, city missionary. …. The property on the site of the new hall was purchased by Mr and Mrs Galloway some two years since. There was, however, a delay in obtaining permission, and Mrs Galloway was disappointed in her expectation that the new building would be ready for occupation last winter. The frontage of the new hall to City Road is 62 feet. The building will be divided into basement and ground and first floors, the front portion being utilised as shops. A large mission room will be provided on the first floor, 62 feet by 44 feet, with platform, gallery, and classrooms adjoining. There will also be a school-room 39 feet by 22 feet provided on the ground floor. The whole of the rooms are to be well heated and ventilated and the lighting of the large hall is provided for specially. The frontages will form an architectural addition to the locality. The materials to be used are white end bricks, relieved with red terra cotta and stone dressings. The building is being erected by Messrs Brown and Son of Salford, from the designs and under the superintendence of Messrs Darbyshire and Smith, architects of this city. The estimated cost is over £3,000, and it is expected that the works will be completed early next year. [Manchester Guardian 27 November 1893 page 6]

Letter from Darbyshire and Smith FRIBA architects which attempted to correct inaccurate statements in the press and elsewhere in connection with the new mission hall.  The new mission hall had been set back in accordance with Corporation requirements and the building would be carried out strictly in accordance with the new building by-laws of the Corporation. [Manchester Guardian 18 October 1893 page 7].

Reference    Manchester Guardian 18 October 1893 page 7 – correspondence
Reference    Manchester Guardian 27 November 1893 page 6 – foundation stone
Reference    Building News 1 December 1893 Page 739