Wesleyan School-Chapel, Vestries and Keeper’s House Plymouth Grove, Manchester

A new school chapel, vestries, keeper's house, etc., are about to be erected for the Wesleyan body in Plymouth grove, Manchester, from the designs of Messrs. Hetherington and Oliver, of Carlisle. The site is a capital one, and in this preparation of the plans, provision is made for the erection of a large chapel at some future time, to seat 1,000 persons, with a lofty spire 140 feet high. The buildings will be in the Early Gothic style. [Building News 10 January 1879 p34]

MANCHESTER - Plans prepared by Messrs Hetherington & Oliver, architects, of Carlisle, have been accepted for building a new Wesleyan school-chapel, vestries, keeper’s house, etc., in Plymouth-grove, Manchester. These are to be followed by the erection of a large chapel, to seat 1,000 persons, for which purpose the sum of £10,000 was left some years ago. [Builder 11 January 1879 page 59]

WESEYAN CHAPEL, MANCHETER - This new chapel is intended to be built at the corner of Plymouth and Hyde Groves, when a legacy left for the purpose falls due. The chapel will seat comfortably 1,000 worshippers.  The tower and spire (about 145 feet high) is made an important feature, as a memorial to the generous donor who left funds for the purpose of its erection. The site, which is an admirable one, containing ample space, was given by Mr. John Napier, of Avenue House, Plymouth Grove. The circuit committee are now building school-chapel, vestries, keeper's house, etc., the memorial stones of which were laid in April, and building is intended to be used as a place of worship, pending the building of the chapel. These buildings are being carried out under the superintendence of Hetherington & Oliver, of Carlisle, by Mr. L C. Webster, of Brook-street, in a suitable manner, and are designed in the same spirit as the future chapel. The total cost will be from £12,000 to £14,000. [British Architect 20 June 1879 page 254]

MANCHESTER - A new Wesleyan chapel, erected at the junction of Plymouth grove and Hyde grove, was opened by Dr. Pope (Didsbury College), on Thursday, 4th inst. The chapel is built of stone, and is designed in the Early Gothic style. It is lighted by an arcade of windows on each side, and with a four-light window in the main gable. The internal dimensions of the building are 63 feet long by 37 feet wide. Sittings are provided for 350 persons. The roof is lofty and in one span, waggon headed in form, divided into panels with moulded ribs. The open seats, roof timbers, etc., are all of pitch pine. The entrance doors are at each side of the chapel, and a narthex is formed by a wooden screen (glazed with cathedral glass) cutting oft' a passage way 8 feet wide, the entire breadth of the building. Doors in the narthex, and again in the screen protect the congregation from draughts. In case of alarm of fire, the doors are arranged to open outwards. Vestries, class rooms, and keeper's house have also been built, and the total cost at present incurred will be about £5,500, including land and boundary walls. Ample space still remains on the site for a large chapel - contemplated at some future time - capable of seating 1,000 worshippers, and with a handsome tower and spire. The contract for the present building was intrusted to Mr L C Webster, Brook Street, and the works have been designed and carried out under the supervision of Messrs Hetherington and Oliver, architects, Carlisle. [Building News 12 December 1879 page 723]

DISSENTING CHURCH-BUILDING NEWS, MANCHESTER - A new Wesleyan chapel, erected at the junction of Plymouth-grove and Hyde-grove, has been opened. The chapel is built of stone, and is designed in the Early Gothic style. It is lighted by an arcade of windows on each side, and by a four-light window in the main gable. The internal dimensions of the building are 63 ft. long by 37 ft. wide. Sittings are provided for 350 persons. The roof is lofty, and in one span, wagon-headed in form, and divided into panels, with moulded ribs. The open seats, roof timbers, etc., are all of pitch pine. The entrance-doors are at each side of the chapel, and a narthex is formed by a wooden screen (glazed with cathedral glass) cutting off a passage-way, 8 ft. wide, the entire breadth of the building. Doors in the narthex, and again in the screen, protect the congregation from draughts. All the doors are arranged to open outwards. Vestries, class-rooms, and keeper’s house have also been built, and the total cost at present incurred will be about £5,500, including land and boundary walls. Ample space is reserved for a larger chapel, — contemplated at some future time, capable of seating 1,000 persons. The contract for the present buildings was entrusted to Mr. L. C. Webster, of Brook street, and the works have been designed by Messrs. Hetherington & Oliver, architects, Carlisle, and carried out under their superintendence. [Builder 27 December 1879 page 1444]

Reference    Manchester Guardian Saturday 25 January 1879 Page 10 (Contracts)
Reference    British Architect 7 March 1879 page 110 - tenders
Reference    Building News 10 January 1879 page 34
Reference    British Architect 20 June 1879 page 254
Reference    Building News 12 December 1879 page 723
Reference    Builder 27 December 1879 page 1444