School Chapel: Rivington and Blackrod Grammar School

RIVINGTON - A chapel is being added to the Grammar school at the foot of the Pike of Rivington as a memorial and the foundation stone was laid last week. The site adjoins the school-room on the north-west. The plans, as designed by Mr R K Freeman, FRIBA, of Bolton, shows a building of Gothic character. The chapel, the floor of which is raised some 5ft above the entrance, will be approached by a flight of steps and measures 46ft by 22ft 6ins, the floor of the chancel end being slightly raised. On the right of the chancel is placed a small organ-chamber. The benches, which will be of oak, will run along either side and across one end. The roof is to be carved and boarded, and divided into panels by moulded ribs, whilst a roof principal, with carved beams, will separate the chancel from the nave. The east and west windows are large, and filled with tracery. The roof will be covered with slate, and the floors fire-proof and finished in wood blocks, the floor of the chancel being covered with tiling. The materials will be of local stone, similar to those used in the school. The contract for the work has been let to Messrs. Moore Bros of Rawtenstall. [Building News 61, 14 August 1891, page 239]

OPENING OF A NEW SCHOOL CHAPEL AT RIVINGTON.—The opening of the new school-chapel in connection with the Rivington and Blackrod Grammar School, the cost of which is being defrayed by Mr Daniel Marshall, in memory of a son who died short time ago, and who was formerly a scholar the Grammar School, took place on Tuesday morning. …. The new building has accommodation for about 100 in the stalls and fixed seats. The style is early decorated, care being taken that it should, as far as possible, harmonise in character with the existing buildings, in which respect a satisfactory result has been obtained. The whole the works, including the oak fittings, have been very creditably carried out by Messrs. Moore Bros., contractors, of Rawtenstall. The heating and gas-fitting has been executed by Mr. Robert Wash; the painting of the altar panels by Mr. John Watson: the altar frontals and other fittings by Messrs. French wrought-iron work by Mr. John Crook, all of Bolton; the wood carving to reredos, etc, by Messrs. Earp and Hobbs, London and Manchester; and the gas-fittings Messrs Standing and Co., of Manchester all the above work having been carried out from the designs and under the superintendence of Mr. R. Knill Freeman, FRIBA, of Bolton and Manchester. {Manchester Courier Friday 4 November 1892 page 6]

Reference    Building News v61, 14 August 1891, page 239
Reference    Manchester Courier Friday 4 November 1892 page 6