Wesleyan School Church, Ulleswater Street, Astley Bridge Bolton

NEW CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL IN ULLESWATER STREET - This afternoon the opening ceremony was performed in connection with the Ulleswater Street New Wesleyan Church and Sunday School off Blackburn Road. The general arrangement is on the Central Hall system with all the classrooms entered direct from the main room except that for infants, which is advisedly isolated. The capacity of the large hall on the ground floor and galleries is 700, to which number another 100 can be added by moving screens in front of the classrooms. The infants' room will hold about 120. There are four entrances —separating boys, girls, and infants for entrance and exit. On the ground floor are eleven classrooms ranging in size from 25 feet by 20 feet to 12 feet by 9 feet. On this floor also are lavatories for adults and a large kitchen conveniently placed for tea parties. There are four galleries, one at each end and one on each side, in an arcaded recess but all connected by a balcony overhanging three feet. On one side of gallery are two classrooms for senior classes, the members of which will find seats in the galleries for assembly without having to take up time and cause disturbance in going downstairs amongst the other scholars. The gallery below the rostrum is on a lower level, though accessible from the other galleries, and is arranged for a choir. The Organ from Draycott-Street has been placed there. The character of the neighbourhood has been studied in the elevations. There is nothing elaborate. but very good red pressed bricks have been used, and by means of careful grouping along with the brightening of a few stone strings, some half-timbered gables and leaded squares in the windows. it is considered an effective and satisfactory group of buildings from both the utilitarian and artistic standpoint.  The contractors have been Messrs Townson and Sons, of Bolton, and the architects Messrs Potts, Son and Hennings, and J. B. Thornley. The electric lighting has been carried out by Mr J. Morris, and the heating by Mr R. Walsh.

The origin of the Ulleswater Street Wesleyan Church is the Draycott Street Wesleyan body, whose premises were small and were required for other purposes.  With commendable zeal the present site was secured and the building erected. The opening ceremony was performed by Alderman Adam Horrocks.

Site bounded by Pine Street, Fir Street and railway. A vacant plot separated the site from Ulleswater Street. Demolished for housing after 2009. Involvement of J B Thornley unclear.

Reference    Bolton Evening News - Wednesday 26 October 1904 page 4