One of the most important historic buildings in Greater Manchester has been restored as part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI); a £2.8m Rochdale Borough Council and Heritage Lottery Fund scheme.
The grade II* listed Long Street Methodist School, which has been out of use for a number of years, has been transformed by conservation architect, Seven Architecture, following the completion of the eight-month project and will consequently be removed from the national ‘Heritage at Risk’ register in 2019.
Completed in 1900, the school is considered an acknowledged masterpiece designed by the famous Middleton-born architect Edgar Wood. The architectural style, a mixture of Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau, was ground-breaking at the time and influenced subsequent 20th century design. It is built of header bond brick, rendered in parts, with attractive red Runcorn sandstone and graduated stone slate roof. Cast-iron gates in stone archways give access to the central courtyard which is surrounded by one and two storey buildings with various coped gables, leaded casement windows and original doors.
Long Street Church School & Lisa Mcfarlane
Specialists have restored a host of original features, including the leaded windows, stonework, lime render and canopies over the doors. Led by Lisa Mcfarlane, Director at Seven Architecture, the project required the careful balance of appropriate repair and restoration that enabled a sustainable long-term use after many years of being underutilised.
Lisa stated: “It has been a real privilege to have been given the opportunity to be involved in this significant project that has not only played an important part in the history of the development of the Arts and Crafts style, but also in its role in the local community. The completion of the first phase of the works to restore the former schools, and to bring them back into use, ensures that the buildings are protected for both current and future generations and allows ongoing investment for their continual repair”.
Other crucial work, including rewiring and a new heating system, the installation of new lights and gutters and repairs to the roof, has also been carried out to give the old building a new lease of life.
Councillor June West, former Chair of the Middleton Township and member of the THI board, said: “The Long Street School is an important part of Middleton’s distinctive architectural tradition, as well as its social history, with many people in Middleton attending the Sunday school before it closed. This project has restored an important piece of local history and, by getting it ready for use once again by the local community, has really brought the past to life.”
A lifelong member of the church, Geoff Grime, attended Long Street Sunday School as a boy in the 1950s and later joined the Cubs and Scouts. He has been heavily involved in the restoration project alongside his wife Christine.
He said: “Since the church opened in 1901 many thousands of local children will have attended the Sunday School, as I did, so it’s a really important part of Middleton’s history. It means so much to have it brought back into community use, so people can enjoy it once more.”
Christine added “The public reaction has been fantastic. Many people with connections to the building through the Sunday School, the uniformed organisations and community groups who met here, have donated generously towards the repair and replacement of the leaded windows. The church and schools are an outstanding example of the Arts and Crafts movement of which Middletonians are very proud. I am thankful to the Lottery and Council for funding the restoration of the school rooms.”
The Long Street Methodist Church and Schools are now owned by the Greater Manchester Building Preservation Trust.
