United Presbyterian Church Brunswick Street Chorlton‑on‑Medlock

The following description of the proposed buildings has been kindly furnished us by the architects:  The site chosen for the erection of the new buildings is the corner of Brunswick Street and Rumford Street, Chorlton-upon-Medlock. The end of the chapel will face Brunswick-street, and the entrance to the schools, etc., will be in Rumford-street. The plan of the as building, when complete, will be that known as the Latin Cross, the long arm or foot being the portion appropriated to the chapel, and the cross arms or transepts and head being occupied by the school and chapel-keeper's house, etc.; this plan, owing to the nature of the site, affording better lights than any other. The style adopted is Gothic, of the decorated period. The tower, placed at the angle at the corner of the two streets, will be 18 feet square on the base, and including - the spire and vane, 163 feet; in height. The elevation in Brunswick Street will consist of a centre gable, flanked by the tower on one side and the gallery staircase and porch on the other. The centre gable will contain a four-light window, filled in with elaborate tracery, and a handsome wheel window above it. The staircase in the tower and on opposite side will be lighted by three light windows, the latter having also a small in circular window above it. The chapel will be five bays in length each bay being divided externally by buttresses, and lighted by a two-light window. There will be two public entrances to the chapel - one through the porch in Brunswick Street, and the other by the tower from Rumford Street. Private entrances will also be provided for the school children, and minister, etc., direct from the school and vestries. The inside dimensions of the chapel are 75 feet 9 inches in length, 46 feet in width, and 23 feet high to the springing of the roof. The roof timbers will be visible from below, the space between the rafters and collars being filled in with boarding, which, with the roof timbers, will be stained and varnished. 520 sittings are provided on the ground floor, and 380 in the gallery, which extends along both sides and one end of the chapel. The seats at the end of the gallery will be semi-circular in plan, to afford more convenient accommodation. The pulpit and elders' seats, etc are placed at the end of the chapel furthest from the entrances, and at the back of the pulpit provision will  be made for the erection of an organ at a future time, should the congregation desire it. The gallery will be supported on iron pillars and framed trusses, which, with, the underside of the gallery flooring, will be stained and varnished to correspond with the roof. The gallery front will be filled in with tracery panelling, with moulded capping and cornices. All the pews, gallery front, and pulpit will be of pitch pine, varnished, etc. The school portion of the buildings will contain, on the ground floor, a vestry, 25 feet 6 inches by 16 feet; class-room 34 feet 9 inches by 16 feet; library, 13 feet 6 inches by 12 feet  6 inches; waiting-room, 16 feet by 11 feet 6 inches; kitchen, 16 feet by 15 feet 6 inches, and two small rooms for the chapel-keeper. The entrance to the principal rooms wills be from a central octagonal vestibule and lobby connected with the staircase to the schoolroom, which will be on the first floor, and will measure 68 feet 6 inches by 33 feet, and 18 feet high. This room will be amply lighted by two four-light windows at each end, and five two-light windows on one side. The position of the staircase will admit of this room being subdivided into small rooms, with separate entrance, should such be required. Cellars are also provided under a portion of the buildings, and the play grounds at the back will contain all the usual conveniences. The whole, when complete, will appear as one building, externally; the school portion forming a transept to the chapel. Ample means of ventilation are provided, a turret for the especial purpose being fixed at the junction of the chapel and school roof ridges. The buildings will be faced with par-points and stone dressing on all sides, the only difference being that the sides next the streets are slightly more elaborate in character. The tender of Mr Mark Foggett, of Cheetham, amounting to £4,469, for the chapel portion, was accepted. The design for the building was selected in competition and is furnished by Messrs Clegg and Knowles of Brown Street, under whose directions the work is carried out. The chapel only is in progress at present, but as soon as the necessary arrangements are completed it is intended to go on with the remaining portion. [Manchester Courier Saturday 12 September 1857 page 6]

Reference    Manchester Courier Saturday 12 September 1857 page 6 - foundation stone
Reference    The Builder 1857: 540.