Building record 1109/8 - Sandbach Methodist Church & Sunday School, Wesley Avenue

The Weslyan movement was represented in Sandbach as early as 1744 and by 1785 it had 20 members, a figure which had rised to 100 in 1807. In 1872 a chapel was built on the Middlewich Road, although occasional services were still held in the 'Commons Silk Factory' (1). Methodist Church & Sunday School c. 1870. Red brick with stone dressings. Symmetrical front to street under pediment, 3 bays to centre projecting slightly. Windows to 1st floor under round-headed arches with connecting stone band, stone portico in antis with moulded architrave & flat pilasters. Stone demi-oculus to gable with elaborate supports. 2 storeyed, 6-window side elevations, windows arched as front. Interior: intact, box pews throughout, gallery to all sides. Tripartite panelled rostrum with foliated railings. Large organ to rear. Quality design throughout with careful use of materials, surviving remarkably intact (2).

<1> Massey C, 1967, A History of Sandbach & District Supplement, /30-31 Massey C 1967 (Book). SCH76.

<2> Department of the Environment, 1971-2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, /918/10000 (Report). SCH1934.