The Religious Institute, Deansgate/Lloyd Street, Manchester

THE RELIGIOUS INSTITUTE, The architectural improvement Deansgate makes steady and welcome progress. The latest completed addition to the many fine buildings erected on the thoroughfare within recent yean will be formally opened tomorrow, and henceforth will be the home of three important societies. It is the new Religious Institute for the use of the Manchester City Mission, and the Manchester Auxiliaries the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the Religious Tract Society. A good idea of the general appearance of the building is conveyed the above sketch, and it may at once be stated that a handsome exterior combined with thoroughly up-to-date interior arrangements. The trust with which this building is associated was founded 1869, and in 1871 the various associated societies, occupied for the first time a building erected for their purposes Corporation Street, through the generosity of the late M. John Fernley, of Southport. This building continued in use till it was purchased 1897 by the Cooperative Wholesale Society, who required the site for the extension of their premises. A site was secured for a new building the corner of Lloyd Street, Deansgate, opposite the offices of the School Board, and the designs of Mr. Henry Lord, architect, were selected limited competition. The building is a substantial and effective structure in the Renaissance style, rising three stories from the level of Deansgate. The lower storey of the frontage is constructed of red sandstone from Derbyshire, with red Rose of Mull granite in columns and bases. The superstructure is executed in red brick and terra cotta from Ruabon. Among the decorations of the front may be seen well-modelled heads of Wycliffe and Tyndale, two of our early translators of the Bible. In the basement is provided a large room, with kitchen, stores, etc, convenient for use as a restaurant, and already engaged for that purpose. The ground floor occupied mainly by two large and lofty shops, with their offices and stores, one for use by the Religious Tract Society, and the other by the British and Foreign Bible Society. On the first floor are fine offices, stores, etc, to be occupied the City Mission and large board-room, about 30 feet by 23 feet, for the common use of the societies. This room has been effectively treated with light oak dado and mantel, and boldly treated ornamental plaster ceiling; and each side of a mullioned bay window which overlooks Deansgate, are two well-modelled bas-reliefs, by Messrs Earp and Hobbs, illustrative of "The Sower" and '"The Good Shepherd." In the oak framework over the massive oak mantel an admirable portrait the late Mr John Fernley, painted by Mr Arthur L. Hewlett, a young Manchester artist, and an associate of the Herkomer School, whose work is full of merit. On the second floor is a large meeting room, with a lofty coned ceiling and two projecting bay windows, which provides seating accommodation for about 450 people. This has the usual ante-rooms. The building is provided with a goods hoist, a number of lavatories in convenient positions, and a suite of rooms for the caretaker. The main entrance to the building is in Deansgate, while a goods entrance and an outside stair to the basement, are provided in Lloyd-street. The staircase to the upper floors is wide, airy, and well lighted, and all the approaches and outlets are direct and ample for the convenience and safety of public meetings. The work has been well carried out Messrs Robert Neill and Sons, the general contractors, and the three societies named will now have premises admirably adapted in every way to their respective requirements. It may be mentioned that after the sale of the Corporation-street institute temporary premises were secured in Cateaton Street, and these were occupied up till few days ago, when possession was taken of the Deansgate building. [Manchester Courier 4 April 1900 page 10]

Reference    Manchester City News 12 March 1898 Page 6
Reference    Manchester City News 27 August 1898 Page 5 (Notes)
Reference    Manchester Courier 4 April 1900 page 10 – description and illustration
Reference    Manchester Courier 6 April 1900 page 10 –opening ceremony
Reference    Building News 20 January 1899 Page 88
Reference    The Builder 1899: I: 72.
Reference    The Builder 21 April 1900 page 407