Institutional Church (Central Hall) Trafford Road and Broadway Salford

AN "INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH" - SALFORD'S NEW CENTRAL HALL - Two memorial stones were set yesterday at the entrance to the new Central congressional Hall which is being erected in Trafford Road, Salford, by the Manchester and District Congressional Board. An open-air service was held outside the new building - it is already half finished - and at this the Rev J W Kiddle was the leader. ..... The Rev Alfred Cooke gave a brief account of what the Central Hall was to provide:

The Church Hall will be on the first floor. Its dimensions will be 93 feet by 51 feet. It will be in the shape of an amphitheatre with the rostrum as the central feature. Behind the rostrum will be the choir for fifty singers with the organ, divided at each side. The seating will be raised in tiers from the floor. There will be a narrow gallery, and the height of the hall will be 25 feet. The seating accommodation will be for 1,200 persons. In the basement there will be the lads' club with a large gymnasium, a fives court, a skittle alley, a reading room, a games room and a bar. Level with the street, nine lock-up shops are planned. Behind the shops and lighted by a large area will be the men’s club with a billiard room for five tables, a reading room and a games room. On the second floor, level with the Church Hall gallery will be the rooms for evening classes and the Pastor's suite of rooms, facing the Broadway. On the third floor over the Church Hall will be the school room, 93 feet by 51 feet. Above this floor is a flat roof protected by a high parapet, which may be used as a playground or drill ground in the summer, and possibly for summer services. The elevations are being carried out in brick and terra cotta. The architect is Mr Edward Hewitt of 33, Brazennose-street, Manchester. It is hoped that the building will be ready for opening in October. [Manchester Guardian Friday March 15 1907. Page 3 Column 5]

INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH OPENED IN SALFORD - The opening of the new building in Broadway, Trafford Road, Salford which is to be the home of the Central Mission organised by the Manchester and District Congregational Board took place on Saturday afternoon. .... This is the first Institutional Church in Manchester or Salford. Such churches are in use in some other towns, notably in Nottingham and London. The aim is to provide for the social and mental, as well as the spiritual side of man=s nature. While religion will have the first place, there will be abundant provision for recreation. In short, the amenities of a club will be provided without losing sight for one moment of the chief purpose. The building is extremely well placed. It stands on what used to be the entrance to the Manchester Racecourse. The semi-circular frontage occupies almost the full width of the roadway as you look down Trafford Road from the junction of Regent Road and Cross Lane. The building, which was designed by Mr Edward Hewitt, architect, of Manchester, contains an assembly hall for religious worship, lectures and public gatherings, a big school room, and several class or club rooms for women and for men. The hall will comfortably hold 1,200 persons, and it is so arranged that the audience will always be in close touch with the speakers. In the basement is a billiards room fitted with five tables; and close to are rooms for other games. A novel feature is the use which is to be made of the roof of the building. The roof is flat, and will be, it is believed, a pleasant place on fine days in summer time. [Manchester Guardian 21 October 1907 page 12]

Reference    Manchester Guardian Friday March 15 1907. Page 3 Column 5 -memorial stone
Reference    British Architect 28 September 1906 Page 231-232
Reference    British Architect 25 October 1907 Page 303
Reference    Manchester Guardian 21 October 1907 page 12 – opening