Sunday Schools for the Bethel Congregational Chapel, Henry Street. Bury

TO BUILDERS—Persons desirous of Tendering for the whole of the Works required in the Erection of NEW SUNDAY SCHOOLS for the Bethel Congregational Chapel, Henry Street. Bury, will oblige by forwarding their names and addresses to the undersigned on or before the 6th of March. MAXWELL & TUKE. 29, Princess Street, Manchester and Peel Chambers, Bury. [Bury Times - Saturday 28 February 1885 page 4]

BETHEL CONGREGATIONAL CHAPEL, BURY. NEW SUNDAY SCHOOLS - Some two years ago the chapel here was partially rebuilt and entirely refitted, and to-morrow (Sunday) schools built in the rear of the chapel will be dedicated to the religious instruction of the young. In addition to the site of the old school, the trustees have purchased some old property lying between Clerke Street and Henry Street and having cleared the site have been able to erect spacious, lofty and well-lighted premises to accommodate 450 scholars, namely, 350 senior and 100 infants. At present there are two cottages facing Henry Street which it is hoped may be removed and throw open the front of the school facing direct to Henry Street. The school has an entrance hall 20 feet by 18 feet from which are cloakrooms for both sexes. A passage, 7 feet wide, leads to minister's vestry. a large room to be used as a young men's classroom and prayer meeting room; also, a classroom, with bay window, to be used as a young women's classroom, also as Dorcas room and generally for social purposes. The infant schoolroom is 25 feet by 24 feet and 14 feet high, well-lighted, and possessing separate yard and entrance. The large schoolroom is 44 feet square, with an average height of 20 feet is lighted by large windows, the centre part glazed with plate glass and top and bottom with lead lights. The whole school is heated with hot water, and very careful attention has been paid to the admission of fresh air as well as the extraction of foul air. For the purposes of religious instruction and for the comfort of young people attending. we know no schools in the town of the size possessing equal conveniences. The schoolroom is easily approached. and has six classrooms, three for boys and three for girls, immediately adjoining; the classrooms provide easy accommodation for 120 scholars. exclusive of two large classrooms, one for young men and one for women, and capable of holding from 40 to 50 each. The work been carried out under the superintendence of Messrs Maxwell and Tuke of Bury, and the contractors are: Mr. J. Comfort, brick and stonework; the Bury Sawmill Co., joiner's work; Mr. J. Ramsden, plastering; Mr. J. Kay, slating; Mr. T. Cornall, plumbing. The entire cost of the work will be £1,800; to this must be added the purchase of the old property, which brings the entire cost to over £2,000. [Bury Times - Saturday 19 December 1885 page 8]

Reference    Bury Times - Saturday 28 February 1885 page 4
Reference    Bury Times - Saturday 19 December 1885 page 8

Henry Street – a short street being a continuation of Union Square to Rochdale Road-Clough Lane. The entire area was redeveloped in the 21st century with the existing street pattern destroyed.