Westgate History

The opening services were conducted on 26 Apr 1876 and this article appeared in the local newspapers describing the new building and the occasion:

Although this structure cannot be compared in point of dimensions with the cathedral of Nonconformity in the metropolis (Central Chapel), it is equally unique and an advance upon anything attempted in Gothic buildings specially designed for congregational worship. Some sever strictures were made by the Chairman of the Congregational Union, in his address at the London meeting in May last year, upon the productions of architects who held Gothic architecture as a fetish, and sacrificed to it essentials of a place of worship. The architect has successfully demonstrated in the present building, that this charge at least cannot be laid against it.

It is English Gothic in conception and details, and presents a thoroughly ecclesiastical appearance, both externally and internally; but no chapel of the homeliest type could supply greater facilities for seeing and hearing the preacher, or more thoroughly uniting as one the two congregations on the ground floor and galleries.

The pulpit is the central feature and object, and all the ground floor seats radiate from it in concentric circles. It stands upon a raised platform, which is also the communion. The gallery is semi octagonal in shape, and the seats follow the line of the fronts. The idea of the unique arrangement by which the congregation seem to be, and are in reality, gathered round the minister, was originated by the necessity of providing a chapel for nearly 1000 persons upon a comparatively square plot of land.

A plan of the usual parallelogram shape could not be adopted; so the architect devised the present structure, which consists of double nave intersected by a continuous transept, the latter extending the full width of the site. Each nave is 25ft wide, and the width of the transept corresponds. Two cast iron columns suffice to carry the roof timbers of the entire building, the area clear of walls being 435 superficial yards. Two stone staircases are provided in the angles of junctions of naves and transept. Another stone staircase from one of the side galleries leads down to the basement floor of the school premises.

The chapel will accommodate 566 persons on the ground floor and 372 in the galleries. The ground floor is arranged so as to give a large proportion of short pews and there are four alleys in the total width of the naves. In the front is a continuous vestibule or corridor extending the whole width of the naves, and containing the outer and inner entrance doors. This has slated roof and gabled doorways. Externally the chapel bespeaks the internal construction and is correspondingly unique. The front elevation shows two gables, each containing a handsome three-light traceried window; and between them rises a turret 90 feet in height. The transept gables abutting upon the side streets contain a central window of two lights, with a one light window on either side of it, and all containing tracery in the upper part. A separate range of windows light the ground floor underneath the galleries. The walls are built of rubble stone and all the dressings are of hewn stone. The roofs are slated and the timbers exposed to view internally are stained and varnished. The woodwork is principally of pitch pine varnished, and is especially chaste in design throughout. For warming the whole of the building, Messrs. Haden & Sons combined system of warm air and hot water will be adopted; and Boyle's air pump ventilators are used for the extraction of foul air.

In the provision of school accommodation, considerable ingenuity has also been used. The surface of the ground falls rapidly from front to back, so that underneath the schoolroom, which is in the rear of the chapel and on the same level as the chapel floor, a suite of classrooms has been obtained. The school premises have been specially arranged to suit both weekday and Sunday school requirements; and an ample accommodation will be provided for 80 infants and 350 other children, according to the regulations of the Education Department.

Capital open playgrounds are placed on either side between the streets and the school building, and connected therewith is a large covered space measuring 250 superficial yards and 10ft clear height, obtained under a portion of the chapel. The school room is 59ft by 32ft wide and 22ft high. At the end is a platform recess and a private staircase for the use of committees at public meetings and for orchestra performances at concerts. The room is well lighted by windows on either side.

The foundation stone of the new edifice was laid by Sir James Watts on February 14 1874. The following are the names of contractors:
Masons work, etc. - J. Drake & Son, Cleckheaton
Joiners work, etc. - J. Fawcett & Sons, Huddersfield
Slaters - Wormald & Watson, Leeds
Plastering - Duckworth & Son, Bradford
Plumbing & glazing - J. Brook & Co., Heckmondwike
Painting - J. Peel, Cleckheaton
Heating apparatus - Haden & Sons
Iron palisading - Schofield & Son, Huddersfield

The glazing of the windows of the chapel, which are fitted with glass of various tints, has been executed by Messrs. Edmondson & Son, Manchester, and the gas fittings have been supplied by Messrs. Freeman & Collier of Manchester.

An organ is shortly to be erected, a generous anonymous donor having offered to contribute the necessary funds. This will supply the one great need of the interior of the building, architecturally considered. The instrument will occupy the space in front of what is at present a blank wall in the rear of the pulpit.

The total cost of the building, exclusive of movable furniture, but inclusive of heating, lighting, boundary fences, architect's commission and clerk of works salary, is about £8,500. The addition to the sum of £300, presented by the Sunday school scholars of the "mother chapel", the teachers belonging to the same place have subscribed the funds for the furnishing of the school room and classrooms, which are provided with Sidebotham's patent school desks and tables.

The new building was publicly dedicated by devine service morning and evening, the ministers for the day being Dr. Joseph Parker of the City Temple, London and Dr. Enoch Mellor of Halifax. At the morning service, when Dr. Parker preached, there was a large assembly comprising many ministers from the surrounding neighbourhood. The introductory portion of the service was conducted by the Rev. Thomas Nicholson, minister of Providence Place Chapel. In the evening Dr. Mellor occupied the pulpit, when once again there was a large gathering.

Between the services, a public luncheon was provided in the new school room, which was largely attended. Numerous speeches and toasts were made. 

Below is the original plan and drawings of the architect H.J. Paull: