Unitarian Chapel Atkinson Road Sale

UNITARIAN CHAPEL - It consists of a nave without aisles, transepts communion recess, organ chamber vestry and vestibule at west end with main entrance on south side from Atkinson Road, having a small turret above the porch, and a minor entrance on the north side for use when required either for ingress or egress. The internal dimensions are as follows: extreme length 70 feet; width of nave, 24 feet 6 inches; width across transepts 47 feet; height to cornice, 15 feet; to ceiling 27 feet 6 inches; to ridge 36 feet; and to top of turret 64 feet. The chapel is being built with ashlar dressings to the doors windows angles etc. and Yorkshire parpoints for the walling, lined with brick inside, the style being Geometric, plainly treated. The roofs will be slated, the turret roof being high pitched and finished with a metal finial. The side windows are coupled, those to the transepts in three lights. And there is a large five-light window at the east end (with octafoil in the centre). Over the west door is a rose window of bold design. All these are to be filled in with quarry glazing of an appropriate kind. The roof is open timbered with plaster ceilings between at levels of collars. There will be accommodation for 254 persons, viz 186 in nave, 26 in south transept, 30 school children in north transept, and 12 in choir at east end. The seats and other joiner=s work will be of pitch pine and the walls finished in stucco. The position of the pulpit admits of a direct access from the vestry, and there are separate entrances for the minister and scholars. .. The works are being carried out from the designs of Mr J G Elgood, architect, of Sale. The cost of the building will be about ,3,000. [Manchester Guardian 9 September 1875 page 9]

NEW UNITARIAN CHAPEL AT SALE. The new chapel erected at Sale for the use of the Sale Unitarians was opened yesterday. .... The new chapel is situated in Atkinson Road, close to the highway from Manchester to Altrincham. It consists of a nave without aisles; transepts, communion, organ chamber, vestry, and vestibule at the west end, with principal entrance from Atkinson Road, having a turret above he porch, and a minor entrance from the north side for use when required. The chapel is built with ashlar dressings to the doors, windows etc, and Yorkshire wall-stone, lined with brick inside, and plastered; the style of the building being plain geometric decorated. The roofs are slated, the turret being high pitched, and finished with a metal vane. The side windows are coupled, those to the transepts in three lights, and there is a large five-light window to the east end, with tracery above and octafoil in centre. Over the entrance is a rose window of simple but effective design. There is accommodation for 250 persons. The seats and other joiner=s work are of pitch pine, stained and varnished; the pulpit is of oak, with Caen stone base, having seven marble shafts grouped around it, the lower part being presented by Mr Hobbs, carver. A member of the congregation has also given a very handsome brass eagle lectern. The position of the pulpit admits of direct access from the vestry, and there is a separate entrance for the minister and scholars. The contract was taken by Mr James Birch of Manchester, and the works have been carried out from the designs and under the direction of Mr J G Elgood, architect. The cost of the building will be about £3,000, including the fittings, furnishings, etc.[Manchester Guardian 22 September 1876 page 7]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 9 September 1875 page 9 - memorial stone
Reference    Manchester Guardian 22 September 1876 page 7- opening