Lancashire Independent College

The Independent College, Manchester stands about three miles south-west of the town, and has, like the preceding one (Richmond Theological College- architect A Trimen), projecting wings, but of greater depth, so as to form the front into three sides of a quadrangle. The style belongs to the latest Gothic, and the front consists of two stories over an arcade or cloister, with an oriel over the entrance in the centre, above which rises a tower, surmounted by an octangular lantern. The architect is Mr. Irwin, and the building is said to have cost £14,000. British Almanac 1843, Volume 16 page 244]

THE PLAN OF THE BUILDING – The ground occupied is in shape like the letter E: the principal front 261 feet in length, and 40 feet high, will contain, on the level of the ground, extensive kitchens and other offices required for the establishment. In the front there will be an arcade or covered walk, upward of 200 feet long, for shelter and exercise. The principal apartments, on the second storey will be approached by a broad band of steps underneath the entrance tower, which will rise in the centre of the front, surmounted by a lantern to a height of 92 feet. The entrance hall in the centre wil be 30 feet by 32 feet and 36 feet high, open to the roof, which will be formed by four large timber arches, springing from stone corbels, and decorated with tracery. From the hall the principal apartments branch off on each side, and consist of a library and dining hall, each 50 feet by 25 feet; a lecture room, 30 feet by 25 feet; two others of smaller dimensions, and other apartments. One of the principal features is a corridor, the whole length of the building, connecting the various rooms and staircases. From the hall, a broad stone staircase leads to a gallery, supported on stone piers and arches, from which corridors branching right and left will conduct to the students’ dormitories in the upper storey. At each of the principal fronts, the residences of the professors, with separate offices will be placed. The wings, each 112 feet in length, will be appropriated to the studies (42 in number) and dormitories of the collegians, having separate entrances, staircases and corridors; and on the level of the ground, extensive covered arcades for exercise in wet weather. The style adopted is Gothic of the latter end of the 15th century. Mr J G Irwin of Fountain Street is the architect. [Manchester Guardian  September 1840 page ]

Not until the passing of the Educational Reform Act were the Nonconformists allowed to attend the English Universities. Thus, they developed separate institutions such as the Warrington Academy to serve their educational needs. In 1816, the Lancashire and Cheshire Congregationalists had founded a college in Blackburn for the training of ministers. When Samuel Brooks began the development of Whalley Range, he donated a piece of land and £1,500 for the establishment of a new college. The Congregationalists themselves raised  £14,000 and commissioned a design from John Gould Irwin, who was joined in partnership by Francis Chester about 1841. The foundation stone was laid on 23 September 1840 but the ceremony had to be abandoned when a temporary stand collapsed throwing 100 ladies to the floor, fortunately without serious injury. Completed in 1843, the building was in the Elizabethan Gothic style, more fashionable for country houses of the period, rather than the Classical style generally favoured by the nonconformists, eg the Methodist College in Didsbury begun in 1842. The main frontage, 261 feet long, with a central tower 92 feet high is ashlar faced in Yorkshire stone. Accommodation comprised three classrooms, a library, dining hall, two staff houses and 42 studies for students, each 10 feet by 9 feet. These were most unpopular with the students, being described as "moderate sized ovens" in the summer and like "sitting in a keyhole" in winter. At its opening in 1843 there had been 13 students and three members of staff but by 1878 the building had become too small and Alfred Waterhouse was appointed to design additional accommodation. The main frontage to College Road was retained without alteration although some existing rooms were remodelled and a new three sided block built in brick built at the rear. This provided sixty new studies, each 14 feet by 10 feet, an assembly hall 30 feet by 70 feet, three additional classrooms and a seven bedroomed Principal's house at a total cost of £22,000. By 1880, sixty students were residents.

Reference    A.P.S. Dic.
Reference    Manchester Guardian 15 May 1839 page 3 – purchase of land
Reference    Manchester Guardian 4 April 1840 page 1 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian  26 September 1840 page 2 foundation stone
Reference    Manchester Guardian 22April 1843 Page 1 – notice of opening