Quaker Meeting House Oldham

QUAKERS NEW MEETING HOUSE OLDHAM - The new structure has a rather ornamental appearance, with vestibule leading directly to a light, plain meeting room and also a large committee room at one end of it, arranged for being used separately or for being thrown open as a gallery on special occasions. On either side of the vestibule are placed cloak-rooms and other conveniences, those on the left being solely for the use of female members and attenders. The interior of the meeting room is fitted up with pitch-pine open seats, wainscotting and minister's gallery, the latter being in no way different from te other seats except for t being ascended by two low steps; and the whole is capable of seating, if required, from 400 to 500 persons. The floor underneath the meeting room is fitted up as a school-room, well lighted, with class-room and other conveniences. The general contract for the whole of the works (except heating and gas brackets) was taken by Mr Emmanuel Whittaker of this town, who has completed the same from the designs of Mr Peter B Alley of Manchester, architect. The cost of the building and fittings, exclusive of the land, is a little over £2,000. [Builder 15 January 1870 Page 43]

OLDHAM - A new Friends' Meeting House has been erected opposite the Independent Chapel in Union‑street, Oldham. The new structure is a commodious and suitably designed building, having a neat and rather ornamental appearance, with a good vestibule leading directly to a very light and handsome though plain committee‑room at one end of same, arranged for being used separately or for being thrown open as a gallery on special occasions. On either side of the vestibule are placed cloak‑rooms and other conveniences, those on the left being solely for the use of female members and attenders. In this matter of careful provision for the personal comfort of the attenders at their places of worship, the Society of Friends offer an example which other religions bodies would do well to follow. The contractor was Mr. Emanuel Whittaker, of Oldham, and Mr. Peter B. Alley, of Manchester, the architect. [Building News 4 February 1870 page 98]

Reference    Builder 15 January 1870 Page 43
Reference    Building News 4 February 1870 page 98]