Building Name

Rose Mount Wesleyan Methodist Church, Douglas, IoM

Date
1884 - 1886
Street
Rose Mount and Buck's Road
District/Town
Douglas
County/Country
Isle of Man
Work
New build
Contractor
Kelly & Preston

Douglas expanded rapidly in the second half of the 19th Century ‑ one growth area was into Upper Douglas where the expanding middle class bought property. Increased population put pressure on the older Thomas Street (Victoria Rd) and Well Hill Road chapels and thus in 1880 the site was acquired for £1,480. Having decided that the church should be in the Gothic style, Messrs Waddington and Sons of Burnley were chosen (according to R B Moore probably on the recommendation of W.T.Radcliffe). The contractors were Messrs Kelly and Preston.

The foundation stone was laid on 27 August 1884 and the church opened 11 June 1886. The total cost was some £8,500 of which some £2,500 remained to pay off. The Sunday school extension was opened in 1893 (and caused some financial grief to the builders Messrs Macadam and Moore). The 112 feet high spire was always in the design, work commenced August 1910 and completed the next year. Unfortunately in an effort to reduce costs it was decided to have the stone cut off site, in England, and since not all the stones were cut on the correct face it has tended to flake. By 1920 the whole debt had been paid off.

The interior is lined with pitch pine; Mr E.T.Quiggin (not a Methodist) offered them his personally selected timber originally destined for his new home. Rosemount was always the 'posh' chapel with many of the leading Methodist personalities in Douglas belonging to it (sometimes referred to as the House of Keys at prayer!). It has always had a reputation for congregational singing; originally a fine harmonium was installed but in 1888 an organ built by Foster and Andrews (who probably installed the first organ in Thomas Street) with the front designed by Waddington and Son. Tower added 1910-1911.

DOUGLAS (ISLE OF MAN) - The foundation stones of a new Wesleyan chapel here were laid on the 27th ult. The building will occupy a position at the angle formed by Rosemount and Buck’s-road. The tower is placed at the corner of the site. Galleries are carried round three sides of the chapel, and the total accommodation is for about 900 worshippers. The building has been designed in the style of English Gothic which prevailed about the end of the thirteenth century, by Messrs. William Waddington & Son, architects, of Manchester and Burnley, under whose supervision the various works will be carried out by Messrs. Kelly & Preston, contractors, of Douglas. The cost of the chapel, omitting the higher stages of the tower and the spire, will amount to £6,000. [Builder 13 September 1884 page 375]

Reference        British Architect 4 April 1884 page ii (Contracts - Wesleyan Chapel)   
Reference        R B Moore The Story of Rose Mount Methodist Church 1886 1956
Reference        Builder 13 September 1884 page 375 - foundation