The Tabernacle (Congregational) Church St Trowbridge Wiltshire

During the same year (1882) under the Revd. Thomas Mann (minister 1839 - 1894) it was decided that the church was again too small and plans were made to build it completely anew to a much larger scale in perpendicular style complete with a tower 80 feet high. The architects were Paull and Bonella of Bath and the builder William Smith of Trowbridge. Seats were provided for 715. The foundation stone was laid by J Kemp Welch JP. The new church measured 89 feet by 40 feet and was attached to the 1842 building by the same connecting doorways as before. This siting required the demolition of one cottage from the end of the rank on the south side. [British Architect 4 April 1884 Page 168]

TROWBRIDGE - The tabernacle at Trowbridge was opened on March 19th. The architectural treatment of the new portions of the buildings was determined by the lines of the old chapel, the desire of the committee at the outset being to retain the roof and side walls. English Gothic architecture in the earlier periods of its development would have required a roof of steep pitch or slope, but the existing one was comparatively flat, and the school roof also. The architects, therefore, adopted the style prevalent in England in the 16th century, and known as perpendicular or fourth pointed Gothic, and they have endeavoured to produce a harmonious whole so far as the new buildings or reconstruction of old parts have permitted. Only one small portion of the former elevations (except the west wall of the school, which is in a secluded position) is now to be seen. It is adjacent to the new classrooms, and will someday, no doubt, be altered to correspond with them. Marble mosaic tiling has been laid in the vestibules and passages, and similar material, made to the architect's special design, forms the communion platform floor. This is surrounded by a moulded oak rail supported by iron standards upon a stone curb or plinth. The pulpit is of freestone richly designed and approached by blue Pennant stone steps on either side. It is incorporated with the panelled stone front of the organ or choir gallery which flanks it on either side, and is decorated with the Beatitudes. This gallery has two approaches from the stone staircases which adjoin it, and convenient choir seats of suitable character are arranged in two rows for 24 singers. The height of the choir floor is 6 feet above the aisles of the chapel, and that of the pulpit is 5 feet 6 inches. The dimensions and accommodation of the reconstructed tabernacle are as follows: — Internal extreme length, 89 feet; internal extreme width, 40 feet; internal extreme height, 36 feet 6 inches; height to plate of side walls, 29 feet; height of turret to top of vane, 80 feet; ground floor — 381 sittings of 20in. by 32in. in clear; gallery, 334 sittings of 19in. average; total, 715. Attached to the chapel is the schoolroom, 52 feet by 36 feet in clear, and 16 feet high, which occupies an upper floor, the floor below containing minister's vestry, lecture room, tea room, and classroom, etc. These premises are not new, but have been more or less metamorphosed in connection with the range of ten new class rooms, five on each floor, which were erected in 1882 under the same architects. The architects are Messrs. Paul and Bonella, of No. 2, Chancery-lane, London, W.C., and No. 1, St. Peter's-square, Manchester. [Building News 28 March 1884 page 496]

Reference        British Architect 4 April 1884 Page 168
Reference        Building News 28 March 1884 page 496