Oakfield Baptist Chapel and Schools Ashton Lane Ashton-on-Mersey

OAKFIELD BAPTIST SCHOOLS, ASHTON-ON-MERSEY - These schools, which adjoin Ashton Lane, were opened on the 19th inst. There is a schoolroom 65 feet long, 30 feet wide, with recesses at each end, and 26 feet high; a class-room 20 feet by 16 feet, and 12 feet high; a minister’s Vestry, and other apartments. The style of the buildings is English Gothic. All the. external walls are faced with Yorkshire stone parpoints, and the dressings am of ashlar stone, from Wrexham. The roofs are covered with Staffordshire tiles, and the ridge with crested tiles. In the centre is a ventilating turret, also tiled. Internally the roof timbers, and all the woodwork, are stained and varnished. The buildings now erected are part only of a scheme which, in its entirety, will include a church capable of accommodating nearly 1,000 adults. Until the chapel is built the school-room will serve as a chapel, and it has been designed, finished, and furnished for that purpose. The contractor is Mr. James Terras, of Manchester. Mr H J Paull, of London and Manchester, being the architect. [The Architect 28 February 1874 page 124]

ASHTON-ON-MERSEY - New Baptist Chapel and Schools - The new Oakfield Baptist Union Chapel and Schools at Ashton-on-Mersey have been opened. The buildings now erected are part only of a scheme which, in its entirety, will include a church capable of accommodating nearly 1, 000 adults, school premises for 400 children, and a caretaker's house. The present portion comprises a schoolroom, 55 feet long by 30 feet  wide, with recesses at each end, and 25 feet  high to the central part of the ceiling; also a classroom 20 feet  by 16 feet  and 12 feet  high; a minister's vestry, and other apartments. The site adjoins Ashton Lane, and contains 3,500 yards of land. The portion available for building upon is, however, only 1,350 yards. The future chapel will occupy the front, and the schoolroom stands in the rear. Until the chapel is built this room will serve as a chapel, and it has been designed, finished, and furnished for that purpose. The style of the buildings is English gothic, of the geometrical period. All the external walls are faced with Yorkshire stone parpoints, and the dressings are of ashlar stone, from Wrexham. The roofs are covered with Staffordshire tiles, and the ridge with crested tiles. In the centre is a ventilating turret, also tiled. Internally the roof timbers and all the woodwork are stained and varnished. The contractor for the works is Mr James Terras, of Manchester. The total cost, inclusive of boundary walls and roads, furniture, etc., will be nearly £2,500. The architect is Mr H. J. Paull, of St. Peter's Square Manchester, and London. [British Architect 6 March 1874 page 154]

AsHTON-ON-MERSEY - A new Baptist Chapel and Schools were opened at Ashton-on-Mersey on Thursday week. The buildings now erected are part only of a scheme which, in its entirety, will include a church capable of accommodating nearly 1,000 adults, school premises for 400 children, and a caretaker's house. The present portion comprises a schoolroom 55ft. long by 30ft. wide, with recesses at each end, and 25ft. high to the central part of the ceiling; also a classroom 20ft. by 16ft. and 12ft. high; a minister's vestry, and other apartments. Until the chapel is built this room will serve as a chapel, and it has been de- signed, finished, and furnished for that purpose. The style of the buildings is English Gothic, of the Geometrical period. All the external walls are faced with Yorkshire stone parpoints, and the dressings are of ashlar stone from Wrexham, The contractor for the works is Mr. James Terras. of Manchester. The total cost will be nearly £2,500. The architect is Mr. H. J. Paull, of S. Peter's-square and London. [Building News 27 February 1874 page 243]

ASHTON-ON-MERSEY - The Baptist chapel recently erected in Ashton-lane, has been opened. The plot of land secured by the promoters of this undertaking contains 3,504 superficial yards, measuring to half the width of the side-road; but the conditions respecting the building lines are so strict that the net available area for building purposes is reduced to 1,350 yards. This, however, suffices for the school premises, which have now been in part completed and opened; and also for a large chapel, capable of seating upwards of 900 persons, which will be erected hereafter. The latter, as being the more important structure, has been planned to occupy the front portion of the land facing Ashton-lane. The former, or school building, lies in the rear, and for the present is connected with Ashton-lane by a temporary carriage-road, three yards wide. It is intended to use the schoolroom as a chapel. The school premises will eventually comprise, in addition to what is already erected, a residence for a caretaker, and two or more class-rooms. The portion now completed includes a schoolroom (or school-chapel) 55 ft. long, exclusive of recesses, by 30 ft. wide, and 25 ft. high from the floor to the central part of the roof ceiling; also a class-room, 20 ft. by 16 ft., and 13 ft. high; together with a small vestry for ministers' use, which may be cleared away when the future additional class-rooms are erected. Underneath the present class-room is a cellar, containing Messrs. Haden & Son's heating apparatus and boiler, &c., for tea-parties. All the external walls of the entire buildings are faced with Yorkshire stone parpoints. The quoins and dressings to windows and doorways are of Hooton ashlar stone. The roofs are covered with red and brown Staffordshire tiles. In the centre of the ridge is a turret containing one of Boyd's patent air-pump ventilators. Three of the windows on the south side of the room are carried up above the eaves, and have dormer gables with stone copings. The style of the buildings is English Gothic, of the geometrical period. The timbers of the roof exposed to view are stained and varnished, and the ceilings and walls, when sufficiently dry, will be suitably distempered. The total cost of the buildings and works executed so far, including boundary walls, gates, and roads, lighting, heating, ventilating, movable furniture, architect's commission, and legal fees, &c., will be about £2,500. The contractor of the works is Mr. James Terras, of Manchester. The gas fittings are by Messrs Hibbert and Company. The architect is Mr. H. J. Paull, of Manchester, and London. [Builder 11 April 1874 page 315]

Reference    The Architect 28 February 1874 page 124
Reference    British Architect 6 March 1874 page 154
Reference    Building News 27 February 1874 page 243
Reference    Builder 11 April 1874 page 315