Ragged School and Working Men's Church. Lombard Street, Deansgate, Manchester

LOMBARD STREET RAGGED SCHOOL - The foundation stone of new ragged school in Lombard Street, one of the most destitute localities in lower Deansgate, was laid on Saturday afternoon by Mr. W. R. Callendar, Jun,  The projected building, which will be perfectly plain, is designed to accommodate  from 800 to 900 scholars, and will be opened probably before the end of May. It will serve the purpose of a working men's church as well those of a ragged school. At the ceremony on Saturday, Mr Alsop one of the superintendents of the school presided; and after a devotional service, Mr. T. Wright, on behalf of the Committee, presented a silver trowel to Mr Callender, with which the stone was laid. Mr Callender said that few persons who passed along Deansgate to and from business had any idea of the condition of the inhabitants of that locality. Vice in its worst forms had its abode there. Two years had elapsed since a band of devoted men established a day and Sunday school in one or two hired rooms in Lombard-street, and also opened a preaching-room For some time their labours seemed to bear little fruit; they were exposed to annoyance and insult; their scholars were dirty. ignorant, and undisciplined; but they were encouraged to persevere and the blessing of God had attended them.  …..  The Committee had purchased the site, taken down the old building, and entered into the erection of a new one. It would be a plain brick building, costing about £800, of which £300 was raised by a bazaar held in October, 1870. The appeal which was now made to the public for the £500 would; he was sum not be made in vain. [Manchester Guardian 4 April 1871 page 6]

Tenders: Wade Brothers £860; Terras £732; Statham and Sons £720; Winter £720; Wilson £712; Herd and Eadie £688; Cardwell £685.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 26 November 1870 Page 9 (Contracts)
Reference    Builder 11 March 1871 page 196 - tenders
Reference    The Architect 11 March 1871 page xii - tenders
Reference    Manchester Guardian 4 April 1871 page 6 – foundation stone