Manchester Adult Deaf & Dumb Institute, Grosvenor Road, All Saints

Although a Deaf and Dumb School had been established in Manchester in 1823, this concentrated entirely on the care and education of children. The adult deaf and dumb of Manchester found themselves largely ignored by charitable institutions of the period and it was not until 1850 that an Adult Institute was established to provide education, recreation and religious instruction. The Institute was originally based in rented accommodation in the city centre but as a result of fund raising efforts led by the energetic Rev. George Downing in the 1870s, sufficient monies were gathered to provide a purpose built building. Built in the still fashionable environs of All Saints., the building was opened in 1878 and the robust neo‑Gothic facade of Yorkshire stone, provided a sharp contrast with the plain Georgian terraces which formerly lined Grosvenor Street. Over the central doorway is a carved shield showing an open hand placed on a book, the emblem of the deaf used in the 19th century. Above this is a sculpture of Christ the Good Shepherd in a canopied niche. The carving of the Institute's name as a band separating the floors still remains exceptionally crisp while the stone commemorating the opening of the charity is to the right‑hand side of the building. Inside, the basement was used as a gymnasium whilst the ground floor included a reading room, recreational room and offices. A large top-lit hall with a galleried floor occupied the upper storey and this was used for religious services and meetings. The building cost nearly £6,000 including some £2,200 for the land.

The building will have a frontage to Grosvenor Street of 36 feet; and in front elevation it will, according to the plans we have seen, very effective. There will be a spacious entrance, with moulded reveals and jambs, and a central gable surmounted by a Greek cross. Over the principal doorway it is intended to place a piece of sculpture exceedingly appropriate for such a place, illustrating the incident recorded in Mark vii 32 -37 – Christ healing the deaf man, with the Hebrew word “Ephphatha” immediately under the figures. This piece of work will be supported by other figures, one on each side, representing scriptural subjects, this giving additional importance and finish to the central gable. The whole design will be symbolic of the purpose to which the building is to be dedicated. Caved in stone over the entrance will be the words “Adult Deaf and Dumb” and in a line with them on the left side “Church” and on the right “Institute.” The entire front will be of Yorkshire stone. Internally the church, or place for divine worship, will be an important feature. It is to be constructed to seat about 200 worshippers, and the seats will be arranged in semi-circular form, so that every eye can be concentrated upon the minister as he is conducting the service. Light will be obtained from the octagonal roof. There will be a small apse, giving the church somewhat more than it would have had of an ecclesiastical appearance, and suitable texts of scripture will be carved or painted upon the walls. Access will be obtained by a spacious staircase, leading from the entrance hall, which divided above into a double flight, will make ingress and egress an easy matter. In the basement of the building will be a gymnasium capable of being converted, as occasion may require, into a tea-room. The ground floor is entered by a spacious vestibule which communicates with an inner hall which communicates with an inner hall, giving access to the secretary’s office, classrooms, etc. The reading room – adapted also for lectures and entertainments – will be entered from the same hall, and a side room will afford convenience as a coffee or general refreshment room. All the rooms have open fireplaces, supplemented by heating apparatus, and the building will be fitted with all modern conveniences. The architect has, we think, made the most of the land, and the building is certain to provide means by which the comfort and happiness of the deaf and dumb in this city will be materially increased and the Society’s welfare advanced. One thing, however, will be lacking, and that is a place of residence for the chaplain. It would have been no bad thing if the Committee had been able to secure a further frontage to Grosvenor Street of eight or ten yards in the Oxford Street direction, upon which to build a small house. This however has been more than their finances would admit of. [Manchester Guardian 8 December 1876 page 8]

THE ADULT DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE, GROSVENOR STREET – The memorial stone of the new building which is being erected in Grosvenor Street, Oxford Road, for the Adult Deaf and Dumb Society was laid on Saturday afternoon by Mr Hugh Birley MP. The front of the building which runs with the street line will have a height of two storeys. It is to be faced with Yorkshire stone and will be somewhat ornate in character, the building being designed in the first pointed style of Gothic architecture. The internal arrangements have been well considered. It is intended to devote the basement of the building to a gymnasium; the ground floor will give a reading room, coffee room, classroom, secretary’s office etc.; and the upper storey will be arranged as a lecture hall, with gallery rising from the  from the floor. The hall will be octagonal in form, will be well-lighted from the roof, and will have a vestry and other requirements. The building is estimated to cost £3,500. Mr J Lowe of St Ann’s Square is the architect and Messrs R Neill and Sons, the contractors. [Manchester Guardian 4 June 1877 page 7]

DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE – On Saturday afternoon the new Institute for the Adult Deaf and Dumb was formally opened by the Bishop of Manchester. [Manchester Guardian 10 June 1878 page 7]

MANCHESTER. - An institution for the adult deaf and dumb has been erected in Grosvenor Street by Messrs Robert Neill and Sons, at a cost of about £3,500, from the designs of Mr J. Lowe, FRIBA, St. Ann's square, Manchester, which were selected in competition. The principal elevation, fronting Grosvenor street, is faced with Yorkshire stone, and is somewhat ornate. The building is designed in the First Pointed style of Gothic architecture, and internally is arranged in the basement as a gymnasium, and on the ground floor as a reading room, coffee room, secretary's office, class room, and conveniences. The upper floor is devoted to a lecture hall, with galleried floor; it is octagonal in plan, well lighted from the roof, and has a vestry and other requirements.  The foundation stone was laid by Hugh Birley, Esq., MP, on June 2nd, 1877, and the building was opened on the 8th ult, by the Lord Bishop of Manchester.  [Building News 5 July 1878 page 22]

MANCHESTER - An institution for the adult deaf and dumb has been erected in Grosvenor- Street, by Messrs. Robert Neill & Sons, at a cost of about £3,500, from the designs of Mr J. Lowe, architect, Manchester, which were selected in competition. The principal elevation, fronting Grosvenor Street, is faced with Yorkshire stone, and is somewhat ornate. The building is designed in the Early English style, and internally is arranged in the basement as a gymnasium, and on the ground floors as a reading-room, coffee-room, secretary’s office, class-room, and conveniences. The upper floor is devoted to a lecture-hall, with galleried floor. It is octagonal on plan, well lighted from the roof, and has a vestry and other requirements. The foundation-stone was laid by Mr. Hugh Birley, M.P., on June 2, 1877, and the building was opened on the 8th inst. by the Bishop of Manchester. [Builder 15 June 1878 page 632]

Reference    The Builder 1877:582
Reference    British Architect 9 March 1877 and 8 June 1877 Page 358
Reference    Manchester Guardian 8 December 1876 page 8
Reference    Manchester Guardian 4 June 1877 page 7 – memorial stone
Reference    Manchester Guardian 10 June 1878 page 7 – opening
Reference    Building News 5 July 1878 page 22
Reference    Builder 15 June 1878 page 632

2000             Deaf & Dumb Institute Grosvenor Road All Saints – Proposed Conversion to Electronic Arts Centre.
Architects       ADC
Reference       Building Design 16 June 2000 page 4
An electronic arts centre for Innovation in Digital and Elecronic Arts is to be established in the former Deaf & Dumb Institute. Alterations include the installation of a new lift and staircase, but most of the original fabric is to be retained. Planning Approval granted by Manchester City Council  June 2000. [Building Design 16 June 2000 page 4]