Welsh Calvinist Methodist Chapel, Moss Lane and Lloyd Street, Moss Side

WELSH CALVINISTIC METHODIST CHAPEL, MOSS LANE EAST. - This chapel, which is situate at the corner of Moss Lane East and Lloyd Street, was opened for divine service on Sunday last. It is designed in the early pointed style of architecture and has accommodation for 800 persons. The galleries extend to three sides of the building, that portion immediately opposite the pulpit being circular. The principal entrance consists of an arcaded porch, having three pointed headed openings which, together with the two light and circular windows over them, form the main feature of the principal elevation facing Moss Lane. The porch communicates with a vestibule which affords access to the main floor of the chapel, and also to the gallery staircases, the latter having separate doorways in addition. The chapel is about 64 feet by 46 feet on the ground floor. The roof is in one span, being supported by principals having curved ribs, those at the intersection of the slightly marked transepts (introduced chiefly for the sake of external effect) being diagonal. In the rear of the chapel, and facing Lloyd Street, is the chapel-keepers residence, the vestries, etc. being placed between them, together with a corridor which connects the whole with the school buildings, consisting of a main school, 64 feet by 37 feet; classroom, library, porches, hoist, tea room, heating apparatus, cellar and other requirements. The greater portion of the internal woodwork is stained and varnished. The whole of the walling internally is plastered, and the windows of the chapel are filled with lead lights, many being of geometrical design and filled with coloured glass. The floor of the vestibules laid with Maw and Company’s tiles. Externally the main buildings are faced with parpoints, the dressings generally consisting of Yorkshire stone, Hollington being used in the spire, which is octagonal in form, and, together with the tower, stands at the main angle of the building and forms one of its most noticeable features, the total height being about 95 feet. The roofs are covered with Welsh slates of diverse tints, cut to pattern, and surmounted by an ornamental cresting. The school buildings are faced with selected common bricks, dressed off, tuck pointed lack, relieved by stock brick dressings, tuck pointed white, and stonework. The boundary walls are of stone construction and are furnished with ornamental wrought iron railing and gates. The total cost of the building, including a considerable outlay necessitated by defective foundations, is about ,8,500, and the whole have been very successfully executed by Mr Mark Foggett, builder, of Cheetham, from the designs of Mr John Lowe, architect, of Manchester. [Manchester Guardian31 May 1875 page 8]

The chapel was founded in 1874 and closed in 1958 when the chapel relocated to Oaker Avenue, Didsbury. The building is now used by the Polish Church of Divine Mercy.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 29 November 1873 page 4 - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 6 April 1874 - foundation stone
Reference    Manchester Guardian 31 May 1875 page 8 - opening
Reference    Builder 1875: 528.
Reference    Builder 2 June 1876 Page 288