United Methodist Free Church and School (Patmos): Peel Brow, Ramsbottom.
TO BUILDERS - Persons desirous of TENDERING for the ERECTION of a United Methodist Free CHURCH and SCHOOL at Ramsbottom are requested to forward their names to the architect on or before Thursday the 11th inst. - Edward Potts, architect Oldham. April 1872.
LAYING THE CORNERSTONES OF THE UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCH, (PATMOS) - On Saturday afternoon the ceremony of laying the corner-stones of the above-named new chapel took place, under exceedingly favourably auspices as regards the state of the weather, which continued brilliantly fine throughout the whole of the proceedings, The site of the new building (which will when erected form a combination of chapel and school) is that on which the old Patmos Chapel stood, and situate at the foot of Peel Brow. The old chapel was erected in 1836 but owing to the primitive character of its structure it has long been felt to be both inconvenient and insufficient by the worshippers frequenting it. The work of taking down and removing the materials of the old building was commenced on the 1st of July last, and occupied but a short time; the erection of the new building was forthwith commenced, and up to the present time the front and end walls have been put up to the extent of about a storey from the basement floor, ' The new chapel and school will be carried out from the plans and under the superintendence of Mr Edward Potts, architect, Oldham.
The buildings will be in the classic style, and built of local stone, supplied by Mr E Wild, stone merchant, Fletcher Bank, and will comprise a schoolroom, with three classrooms and heating chamber on the basement floor; vestibule and vestries on the ground floor, which will be sufficiently elevated from the ground to admit of a lofty schoolroom in the basement. The accommodation on ground floor will be for 360 persons and on the gallery floor for 350, or a total of 710. The front entrance will be approached by a bold flight of steps leading into a wide and spacious vestibule. Side entrances will also be provided for the school. The gallery will be semi-circular at the ends. The whole of the woodwork inside will be stained and varnished. Special attention has been given so that every in the chapel will be able to see and hear the minister with perfect ease and comfort. The total cost of the building will be about £2,500. The contractor for masonry is Mr. Charles Lomax, Summerseat; for joiners’ work, Mr Thomas Wolstenholme, Ramsbottom; slating, Mr R. Crawshaw ; plumbing plastering, painting and glazing, Messrs Leach and Son, Bury. The front elevation of the structure will present an ornamental and substantial appearance, and when completed, which we understand will be about twelve months hence, will form a very creditable addition to the chapels and schools erected in this circuit by the Methodist Free Church denomination. [Bury Times - Saturday 31 August 1872 page 6]
Reference Manchester Guardian 6 April 1872 Contracts Page 5 Col 2
Reference Bury Times - Saturday 31 August 1872 page 6 – corner stone