Barnsley Chronicle April 6, 1907
New Wesleyan Chapel and Schools For Great Houghton
Stone Laying Ceremony
Wesley Methodists from all parts of the Barnsley circuit assembled in large numbers at Great Houghton on Thursday afternoon, to witness the laying of memorial stones in connection with the new church and school about to be erected for the denomination in that thriving colliery village.
The present premises, which have served the dual purpose of church and school, have long been inadequate to meet the developing needs of the place and the Great Houghton Wesleyans have for years been patiently and steadily working towards the realisation of the scheme now taking tangible shape.
The cost of the new church and schools is estimated at £1,200. Towards this £550 had been raised, in cash and promises, prior to Thursday, leaving a further sum of £650 to be accommodated.
Messrs Garside and Pennington of Pontefract and Castleford, are the architects, and we have pleasure in giving a picture of the new church and schools, together with the following description:
The buildings are set back some 30 feet from the main road, and consist of church, 44 feet long by 30 feet wide, transept and organ or chancel in addition. There is seating accommodation for 193.
The communion is placed in the centre, with the pulpit on one side, and is conveniently placed for school and whole of church. They school will accommodate 250 scholars and has a separate entrance from the proposed new road down the side of site.
A movable screen between church and school is arrange for special occasions. A minister’s entrance is at the rear of church, and a short communication corridor connects church and school on one side, and choir vestry (14 x 12), kitchen and minister’s vestry (10 x 9) on the other side, the latter vestry having lavatory and water closet, on one side.
The heating apparatus is placed below in fireproof vault, and boys and girls water closet outside. The whole plan shows a very convenient and compact arrangement for village Methodist premises, and was well spoken of by the Rev John Hornsby up, secretary of the Chapel Committee.
In design the architects have endeavoured to give character and dignity to a small building, and to avoid the “nonconformist Gothic” one sees repeated so often, the style adopted been late Gothic, carried out with Oakland’s double press bricks and Wombwell brown stone for tracery, windows etc, covered with slate roof, advanced have been taken as a sloping site towards the road.
The building proportionately broken up in line will “group” well, and form a pleasing block of buildings. Internally, the woodwork is in pitch pine, with dull finish, the communion and pulpit been in polished walnut.
The windows are filled with specially designed leaded lights. The heating is by low pressure hot water, and a natural system of ventilation is adopted.
Fine weather favoured Thursday’s stone laying ceremony, and the proceedings were attended by great success. The reverent W.D.L.Slack (circuit superintendent) presided over the gathering, and an address was given by the Rev HT Smart, chairman of the Sheffield district.
Afterwards tea was provided in the Council Schools, and this was followed by a public meeting, in which Mr HJ Broomhall, J.P., presided, supported by the circuit ministers and officials etc.
it was announced by the secretary (Mr FT Salmon) that the days proceeds amounted to the handsome sum of £117.