Primitive Methodist Chapel, Moor Lane, Lancaster

THE NEW CHAPEL SCHEME - With commendable perseverance the members of the Primitive Methodist body in Lancaster have this week commenced with a scheme of erecting new church premises in Moor-lane. The present edifice was erected in 1869, and though not old in years its condition Is far from being satisfactory to those concerned. It Is approached by an awkward staircase, and the accommodation is not sufficient to meet the needs of the congregation, while in the west gable an ominous crack shows that sooner or later other means than temporary support would be required to make it safe. With a view of building a new chapel the Trustees acquired few years ago four cottages adjoining the present chapel. The property, which has served its day and generation, will, along with old workshop in Edward-street and the present chapel, soon be levelled to the ground, and on this eligible site a commodious and handsome structure will be erected.

The architect for the new building Is Mr. J. D. Mould A.RJ.B.A., Manchester, and the estimated cost of the entire block is just under £3,000. The buildings comprise a chapel and a lecture hall, with caretaker’s house. We understand that the Trustees by arrangement with the Lancaster Corporation have conceded strip of land both on the Moor Lane and Edward Street thoroughfares, in order to widen the parapet. The new chapel, which will be set a few feet farther back than the old one, will front Moor Lane and line Edward Street. The style of architecture chosen is perpendicular Gothic. The front of the chapel will have twin portals with large perpendicular traceried windows, filling up the central gable, which is flanked by pinnacles on each side. The chapel will have a spacious vestibule, and there will be a staircase on the right and left to a gallery, which encircles the building. Sitting accommodation will be provided for between 500 and 600 adults. On the ground floor there will be vestries for the ministers and stewards on different sides, and on the gallery floor choir vestry, store office, and organ chamber will be arranged. Doors are placed on each side of the north end of the Chapel for the use of the ministers and choir respectively. The dimensions of the building which will be of stone with the pews and woodwork throughout pitch-pine, are 70 feet long, and 38 feet 6 inches wide, and the height from the floor to the highest point in the vaulted ceiling is 38 feet. The lecture hall will be separated from the Chapel by a roadway 7 feet 6 Inches wide. The design of the hall which it is Intended to utilise for the Infants’ Schoolroom, and a meeting place for the numerous organisations connected with the Church, will be in harmony with the main building. It will be 33ft. long, 21 feet wide, and the height of the first floor is 13 feet. Above the hall the caretaker’s house will be erected and is entered by a stone staircase at the back of the hall. The block of buildings will be surrounded on the front side by a substantial stone boundary wall with boulder of elegant design The heating and ventilation apparatus will be of the most modern type, but it is not intended to light the building by electricity. On Thursday evening last the contracts were signed by the following local tradesmen —stonemason work, Mr. R. Baines; carpenters’ and joiners’ work, Messrs. R S. Wright and Sons; painting, Mr. H. Warbrick; slating and plastering, Mr. T. Till; plumbing, Messrs. Calvert and Heald. The closing services the old chapel will be held on Sunday, November 11tb, and on the Wednesday previous sale of work announced in aid of the building fund. During the erection of the new chapel the services will be conducted In the Association Hall, which is the schoolroom of the denomination. [Lancaster Guardian - Saturday 27 October 1894 page 6]

PRIMITIVE METHODISM AT LANCASTER. Yesterday the Primitive Methodists of Lancaster saw the inauguration and dedication of their new church premises in Moor-Lane. The scheme altogether has cost about £3,000 and was rendered necessary in consequence of the increased needs of the church, together with the fact that the old structure showed an alarming disposition to collapse. The new premises comprise chapel with gallery all round—one end of the gallery being used as choir chamber, with available space for an organ—the total sitting accommodation being 600. Beneath the choir gallery are three vestries, and the means of entrance and exit both on the basement and in the gallery are duplicated. The style la perpendicular Gothic. The front elevation is much enhanced by a small turret on each side with a nice tracery window above the two main entrances. Stained leadlights are used throughout, and flanking the chapel is an infants’ school and caretaker’s house. Mr. J. D. Mould, of Manchester, was the architect. … It was proposed to add an organ in few weeks. [Lancashire Evening Post - Thursday 28 November 1895 page 2]