Providence United Reform Church, Middleton Manchester - Visited By Ojay.
Exterior: Flemish bond brick with ashlar dressings and slate roof. 4-sided gallery plan. Gable-pedimented elevation with projecting plinth, first floor sill band, rusticated quoins and paired entrances. The 6-panel doors have fanlights and an entablature on flat pilasters.
Segment-headed windows to either side and 4 round-arched first floor windows with pilasters, keystones and circular tracery. The pediment has elementary brick modillions, polychromatic brick patterning and a central oculus with mouchette tracery and arabesque surround. 6-bay side elevations with similar windows on 2 levels and an eaves cornice.
Interior: virtually complete with the panelled gallery parapet sweeping round at each end supported on cast-iron columns. The box pews follow a similar curve in the gallery. Organ chamber in arched recess occupying the North gallery behind a tall panelled pulpit approached by opposed steps with cast-iron railings. Many interesting features survive including the original hymn number board, the plaster ceiling and cornice, early C20 light fittings and
leaded glass.
It's origins date back to 1822 and is one of the oldest churches in Middleton
The building seen standing today was completed and opened in June 1860 at a cost of £2,500. In 1868 the organ was installed and was later restored in 1922 at a cost of £1,750!!
The stained glass windows were added much later in 1891.
The Church finally closed it's doors in 1991 since falling numbers led to the congregation merging with Alkrington United Reformed church, and with no money for maintenance the building soon began to decay.
Now a Grade II listed building at has been stood empty for 18 years.
The Pikey's strike again, having stolen valuable tiles from the roof allowing water to get inside and chunks of masonry have fallen off the building.
A large section of the Gallery was also destroyed in a fire, many of the original stained glass windows have been smashed and have since been boarded over to prevent further vandalism to the building.
The roof has also given way, and collapsed, covering the pulpit with rotten timber and fire damaged debris. The organ is sadly no more, just a brick arch where it once resided.
The latest in a long line of proposals for the building - Six apartments, but it is not clear what would become of the intricate interior woodwork and ornate balcony, which are the reasons for it being listed.
To date, it remains derelict, and now home to around 20-30 pidgeons, hence the place is laid thick with poop, and many of the original timbers are rotten.
Be warned, the upper section is 'Death on a stick'. Having climbed up to the Gallery and walking across to the other side, it was a case of snap, and my foot had disappeared below
I carefully took as many pictures as I dared before GTFO,
Aisle
Original stained glass windows & Pews
The roof is badly damaged, with gaping holes in a number of places exposing the Church to the elements
Debris from collapsed roof covering a large section of the floor and the original Pulpit
Looking up; The remains of the Gallery
Up here to the Gallery....
Gallery
View from the rear of the Gallery, looking towards the Pulpit and Organ
Original Gallery
And Pulpit
Karaoke
Rear of Chapel, below the Gallery
On the way out, I managed to find this chap who also had the same idea, but sadly never made it beyond the debris and dereliction....
Thanks for looking
Exterior: Flemish bond brick with ashlar dressings and slate roof. 4-sided gallery plan. Gable-pedimented elevation with projecting plinth, first floor sill band, rusticated quoins and paired entrances. The 6-panel doors have fanlights and an entablature on flat pilasters.
Segment-headed windows to either side and 4 round-arched first floor windows with pilasters, keystones and circular tracery. The pediment has elementary brick modillions, polychromatic brick patterning and a central oculus with mouchette tracery and arabesque surround. 6-bay side elevations with similar windows on 2 levels and an eaves cornice.
Interior: virtually complete with the panelled gallery parapet sweeping round at each end supported on cast-iron columns. The box pews follow a similar curve in the gallery. Organ chamber in arched recess occupying the North gallery behind a tall panelled pulpit approached by opposed steps with cast-iron railings. Many interesting features survive including the original hymn number board, the plaster ceiling and cornice, early C20 light fittings and
leaded glass.
It's origins date back to 1822 and is one of the oldest churches in Middleton
The building seen standing today was completed and opened in June 1860 at a cost of £2,500. In 1868 the organ was installed and was later restored in 1922 at a cost of £1,750!!
The stained glass windows were added much later in 1891.
The Church finally closed it's doors in 1991 since falling numbers led to the congregation merging with Alkrington United Reformed church, and with no money for maintenance the building soon began to decay.
Now a Grade II listed building at has been stood empty for 18 years.
The Pikey's strike again, having stolen valuable tiles from the roof allowing water to get inside and chunks of masonry have fallen off the building.
A large section of the Gallery was also destroyed in a fire, many of the original stained glass windows have been smashed and have since been boarded over to prevent further vandalism to the building.
The roof has also given way, and collapsed, covering the pulpit with rotten timber and fire damaged debris. The organ is sadly no more, just a brick arch where it once resided.
The latest in a long line of proposals for the building - Six apartments, but it is not clear what would become of the intricate interior woodwork and ornate balcony, which are the reasons for it being listed.
To date, it remains derelict, and now home to around 20-30 pidgeons, hence the place is laid thick with poop, and many of the original timbers are rotten.
Be warned, the upper section is 'Death on a stick'. Having climbed up to the Gallery and walking across to the other side, it was a case of snap, and my foot had disappeared below
I carefully took as many pictures as I dared before GTFO,
Aisle
Original stained glass windows & Pews
The roof is badly damaged, with gaping holes in a number of places exposing the Church to the elements
Debris from collapsed roof covering a large section of the floor and the original Pulpit
Looking up; The remains of the Gallery
Up here to the Gallery....
Gallery
View from the rear of the Gallery, looking towards the Pulpit and Organ
Original Gallery
And Pulpit
Karaoke
Rear of Chapel, below the Gallery
On the way out, I managed to find this chap who also had the same idea, but sadly never made it beyond the debris and dereliction....
Thanks for looking
