Union Chapel York Place Oxford Road Manchester

OPENING OF UNION CHAPEL, OXFORD ROAD - The new Baptist Chapel erected by the congregation of the Rev. A M’Laren, in lieu of the smaller building which has been purchased by a branch of the Methodists, was opened last evening by a devotional service. The opening services announced also include two sermons today by the Revs. H S Brown of Liverpool and Dr Brock of London; sermons on Sunday by the minister of the place, and on the 24^th inst by the Rev. Dr. Raleigh of London. The chapel, school-rooms etc are situated in York Place, Oxford Road, a short distance beyond the former Union Chapel. The length of the range of buildings from east to west is about 235 feet and the greatest width about 116 feet. In addition to the chapel, no fewer than 30 apartments are comprised in the group. The chapel is approached from Didsbury Road through an open porch, leading to a inner vestibule, which communicates directly to the ground floor of the chapel by means of four doors, and with the galleries by two stone staircases on the right and left. Three wide external doors are intended for entrance, while for exit eight doors are provided - four at the western part of the chapel, two in the centre and two at the eastern end. The seats on the ground floor constitute parts of concentric circles, so that every person faces directly towards the pulpit. Four passages from west to east lead to the pews. The pulpit stands on a platform, enclosed by a semi-circular railing. Behind it is an arched recess, on the upper floor of which is the organ, and below, sunk beneath the level of the floor is the baptistry, with steps leading on the one side to the ladies’ room and on the other to that of the deacons. The internal communication is very complete, so that having once entered any part of the group of buildings it is easy to pass to any other part. Adjoining the south-east corner of the chapel is the deacons’ vestry, approached through an external porch, and communicating by means of a short lobby, with the chapel. In connection with it, but with independent entrances, is the minister’s vestry, and adjoining the north-east corner of the chapel is the ladies’ room, behind which is the reception-room, where the minister may receive his friends; beyond that again is the gentlemen’s cloak room, and at the extreme south-east corner is the lecture hall, which will comfortably seat 400 people, for week evening services. To the north of the lecture hall is a room intended to be used for Bible classes, etc , and which will seat 80 persons. In the corner formed by the class-room and lecture hall is the kitchen, with a cellar beneath it, and then the chapel-keeper’s house, which finishes the group to the north. Between the lecture hall and vestries, directly attached to the chapel, is an open courtyard, bounded by brick arcading on the south side. From this courtyard access is obtained to the deacons’ and ministers’ vestries, the lecture hall, reception room and other apartments. The galleries of the chapel are supported by a series of 18 iron columns, with foliated caps, and twelve are carried up to support arcades bearing the roof and extending from east to west. These pillars are not sufficiently large to form an objectionable obstruction, but yet avail to break up the area of the chapel into agreeable proportions. The floor slopes from the entrance down towards the pulpit, so as [to} enable each member of the congregation to see the preacher without obstruction from the heads of those in front. The fittings are of pitch pine and walnut, and pains have been taken to render the pews throughly commodious and  comfortable, with, at the same time, the greatest economy of space. The pulpit is principally composed of two kinds of walnut, with pitch pine and ebony introduced here and there for relief. It is an irregular octagon in shape, the principal sides having double moulded arches with canopies. The architectural style of the chapel is Lombardic Gothic. The material is bright red brick, with stone dressings. The west front is rich and ornate, being almost entirely covered with moulded or ornamental brickwork and stonework a great deal of which is carved. At the south-west corner a campanile rises to the height of about 120 feet; the lower storey is brought out to give strength to the foundations. Moulded bricks, strings, and cornices divide the four lower stages, above which is the belfry, pierced with eight broad windows, and relieved with slender stone shafts at the angles. From a bold brick cornice and parapet rises a slated quadrilateral spire. At the north-west corner of the chapel is a low turret containing the north galley staircase. The western porch is entered through five archways, with polished granite pillars in front, and carved capitals and impost. The cornice of the porch is also carved, and is surmounted by a stone balustrade. Flying buttresses with pinnacles connect this porch with the main west wall. The west gable is finished with a deep and elaborate brick cornice, and a brick diaper is worked all over it. The great rose window is 21 feet across. Underneath it is an arcade of eight little arched windows. The slating is also arranged in ornamental patterns. The side elevation presents a gabled doorway in the lower storey of the tower, and then a range of seven arches, each nearly 30 feet high. The heads of all these contain circular cusped stone windows, filled with ornamental flowers, and coloured glass in different patterns. Beneath each of these circles is a couplet of lights, underneath which runs a band of brick and stone diaper, and then another series of couplets, which give light beneath the gallery. The great circular windows at the west and east ends are filled with stained glass, and all the remaining windows of the chapel, and some of the other buildings are filled with ornamental glazing. The buildings at the rear are less ornate than those a the front. The shape of the ceiling is unusual, but advantageous for sound, being flat over the galleries, and semi-circular over the centre or nave; and it is confidentially expected that every one of the 1,200 or 1,300 people whom the chapel will accommodate will be able to hear as well as they can see the preacher. Ventilation is effected by a shaft in the tower, which will be always in motion, and will draw off the heated and vitiated air. The heating is by a hot water apparatus. Messrs Ellis and Hinchliffe were the general contractors; and Messrs Medland and Henry Taylor, the architects. [Manchester Guardian. Wednesday 17November 1869. Page 7]

Reference    Building News 19 June 1868 page 426 - tenders
Reference    Manchester Guardian Wednesday 17 November 1869. Page 7