Methodist New Connection Chapel, Roundthorn Road, Roundthorn, Oldham

ROUNDTHORN – Four foundation stones were laid recently on the site of the new chapel school to be erected at Roundthorn in connection with the Methodist New Connection Circuit. The style of architecture is Gothic, and it is to be built of brick, with stone and Ruabon dressings. The roof is to be open timbered to collar beam, and all the joiners’ work will be of best pitch-pine and varnished. The access to the new school is by two entrances, from Roundthorn Road and from the old road, in which is a staircase leading to the gallery and to a corridor between the old and new schools, 6 feet wide, which gives access to both buildings. The large room is 52 feet by 34 feet 6in. There is a minister’s vestry 14ft. 6in by 12 feet. The gallery over the main entrance is four sittings in depth. The outside facings to wall are to be of Newhey bricks. The glazing will be in ground sheet glass with lead lights above the transom. The centre window in the front elevation is formed in a gable with buttresses on each side; this window will be all of stained glass in lead lights. The roof is to be covered with Welsh slates and Ruabon ridge cresting. The lighting of the school will be principally by ornamental coronas from the ceiling. The ventilation will be effected by fresh air wall inlets and outlets in the ceiling connected with patent exhaust ventilators on the roof. The heating will be effected by hot water, low pressure. The total cost will be about £1,400, which includes lighting, heating, and ventilation. The schoolroom and the gallery will accommodate about 550 persons. The contracts have been let as follows: Excavating, drainage, brickwork, and concreting, Mr. Whitworth Whittaker; stonework, Messrs. S. and J. Whitehead; joiner’s work, Messrs. J. Hewkin and Co., of Greenfield; slating, Mr, R. C. Fletcher; plumbing, glazing, and varnishing, Messrs. Butterworth and Sons; plastering, Mr. W. Lodge. The whole of the works are to be carried out from the designs and under the superintendence of Mr. John W. Firth, architect, of Oldham. [Builders' Jornal 7 June 1899 page 270] 

Reference           Builders Jornal 7 June 1899 page 270