Building Name

Gravel Lane Wesleyan Chapel, Blackfriars Street, Salford

Date
1891 - 1892
Street
Blackfriars Street
District/Town
Salford
County/Country
GMCA, England
Work
New build
Status
Demolished
Contractor
W Southern and Sons

Sharp’s building at Gravel Lane replaced an earlier Methodist chapel that was demolished to make way for new railway lines into Victoria Station. A total of £15,000 was raised for the new building which seated 1,000 and was describes as ‘lofty, light and airy’. With its ten classrooms, working men’s institute, library, coffee bar and recreation room it was described by the Manchester Guardian as ‘one of the most complete premises in Methodism’ and on a par with the Oldham Street Central Methodist Hall in Manchester.

A sketch of the old chapel appeared in last week’s issue of this paper, and this week we are pleased to be able to present our readers with a view of the new building which is intended to meet the future requirements of the Gravel lane Methodists. As already told, the old premises, which have done “yeoman” service for the last century, have been bought by the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company for the extension of their line, the sum to be paid being £10,000. After due deliberation another site was acquired in Blackfriars street, within a few yards of the old premises, and several architects were invited to tender plans for the erection of a new chapel, that of Mr Walter R. Sharp, who resides in Broughton, being accepted. A description of the new sanctuary will doubtless be read with interest. It is to be built in the Renaissance style of brick, with terra cotta ornamentation. The main entrance faces Blackfriars street, and is approached by a flight of seven stone steps. There is also an entrance in Cable Street, and a private entrance in Blackfriars street.  The one in Cable street is intended for the use of the scholars coming from the Sunday school in Gravel lane, provision for whose accommodation within is made at the top end of the chapel, so as not to interfere in any way with the comfort of the congregation. The Working Men's Institute, so popular at Gravel lane, will occupy  the basement, which is divided into a lecture hall capable of accommodating 500 people, with an ante  room for speakers, a recreation and coffee room and gymnasium, reading room and library, and the usual offices. A wide and well lighted corridor runs round the main building and gives access to seven class rooms, a meeting room to accommodate from 150 to 200 persons, and various other conveniences. The chapel-keeper’s apartments are also on this floor. From the corridor the chapel is approached. It is in the form of an amphitheatre. The rostrum, communion rail, organ chamber, and choir stalls will, for obvious reasons, be placed as far away from the noise of the railway as possible. While the style of the building may not satisfy everybody, there can be no question but; that the building will be admirably adapted for divine service. Special attention is paid to the facilities for ingress and egress, and the pews will seat 1,100 people. The roof is of pitch-pine and is arcaded in design and divided into panels by moulded pitch-pine ribs, the whole being supported by artistic iron principals. Amongst the numerous windows are three extra-large ones, with lead lights. Heating and ventilation are important considerations with the architect of today, and Mr. Sharp has introduced arrangements which are likely to give every satisfaction. The site, consisting of some 1256 square yards, has cost £4,500, and the buildings, which only occupy 986 square yards, are estimated to cost £9,500. It is proposed to erect a rescue home, with houses for the missionary and bible woman, adjoining the chapel at a cost of about £1,000, so that, deducting the £10,000 provided by the railway company, the congregation have to raise £5,000 to complete the scheme. The task of raising the £5,000 was begun in earnest. Thanks are due to the Rev. Simpson Johnson, resident minister, Councillor H. B. Harrison, treasurer, and Messrs J. Broxap and L. Bollinshaw, the hon. secretaries, for their indefatigable labours in this direction. They were determined to commence the new era without debt, and to them in no small measure may be attributed the success which has attended the scheme. Special services have been held, and by these and other auxiliaries the whole of the money required has been forthcoming. Messrs W. Southern and Sons, Salford, are the contractors for the joinery, masonry, plastering, painting, and tiling; Messrs Lord and Holland, Broughton, for excavating and brickwork; and Messrs Scarlett Bros, for the plumbing, glazing, slating, heating, and ventilating. The whole of the work will, of course, he carried out under the direction of Mr Sharp, the architect. ...  The report continues for some length with a report of the proceedings various speeches made. [The Reporter Saturday 20 June 1891 with illustration]

Reference    Manchester Faces & Places Vol 9 Page 136-140
Reference    Salford City Reporter 13 June 1891 - history of earlier chapel
Reference    Salford City Reporter 20 June 1891 Page 8 with illustration
Reference    Salford Chronicle 20 June 1891 Page 5 - with description of building by Sharp
Reference    The (Salford) Reporter Saturday 20 June 1891 with illustration