Wesleyan Chapel Oldham Road Miles Platting

NEW WESLEYAN CHAPEL AT MILES PLATTING - On Saturday afternoon the foundation stone of a new Wesleyan Chapel at Miles Platting was laid by Mr S Turnbull. The site of the proposed structure is near the tollbar, Oldham Road. The plan will be a parallelogram. The dimensions of the chapel are to be 70 feet 6 inches long and 44 feet 6 inches internally; and there will be a vestry and three classrooms, each averaging about 15 feet by 12 feet. The approach from Oldham Road will be through two porches, each having a vestibule and staircase leading to a gallery. One porch is to be carried up as a tower and spire. Gothic will be the style of architecture. The materials used in the erection will consist of pressed bricks for the front, with Yorkshire stone dressings. Into the arches and string courses, black bricks and encaustic tiles will be freely introduced. The height of the spire is to be 96 feet and the stone belfry in the tower will have circular pillars at the angles, with carved capitals. The roof of the chapel, in three spans, will be supported by ornamental cast iron pillars. The ceiling, curved and panelled, will be 39 feet from the ground floor. The chapel will be provided, in the lower storey, with a row of seven arcade lights and two double-light windows with tracery heads. The galleries are to be lighted from the front by two wheel windows and a large five-light window, filled in with tracery. Eight three light windows will be under the side galleries, besides eight upper windows. Sittings will be afforded for 700 persons, 364 on the ground floor and 336 in the end and side galleries. All the pews are to be of red deal, stained and varnished. Messrs Haden’s (Hayden’s?) principal will be adopted for warming the chapel. The erection is estimated to cost £3,335. Messrs Blackwell Son and Booth, of this city, are the architects, and Mr M Foggett, Cheetham Hill is the contractor. [Manchester Guardian 2 October 1865 page 2].

Reference    Manchester Guardian 2 October 1865 page 2
Reference    Manchester Weekly Times Saturday 7 October 1865 page 2- generally as MG