The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-10-22 00:00:00

OPENING OF GREAT GEORGE-STREET

CHAPEL

This elegant and spacious place of worship, which
has just been erected on the site of the former chapel,
(destroyed by fire) was opened yesterday.
Before we proceed to detail the circumstances of the
opening, it may not be unacceptable to our readers if
we insert from the columns of a contemporary a de-
scription of the structure as an ornament to the town,
and point out the accommodation it affords :

" The site is at the junction► of two roads, Great George
and Nelson streets, forming an acute angle, for which the
former chapel, being a parallelogram, was obviously unsuit-
able. The present building is placed several yards backwards,
thereby giving space for a circular vestibule of 25 feet clear
diameter fronting Great George-street; which, together with
the surrounding portico, renders its connexion with that
street, from which it takes its name, more appropriate.
" The whole of the front and two flanks are executed in
freestone, commonly known as ' Park stone,' the durability
and tone of colour having been long established, being similar
to that used in the beautiful pile of the Exchange-buildings.
" The principal elevation consists of a portico of ten fluted
columns, of the Corinthian order, after the elegant example
of the Temple of Jupiter Stator. The height of the column,
including the plinth, base, and capital, is 33 feet, the shaft
being in one stone, a circumstance without precedent in this
country. The entire base of this front is approached by a
flight of eight steps, corresponding in outline with the portico,
and of stone from the Yorkshire quarries.
" The front wall, from which the portico stands out in bold
relief, is in channelled ashlar, with only three openings
therein, the centre of which forms the general entrance to
the whole chapel, the other two being for exit only. The
columns are surmounted by an entablature enriched with
carved modillions and dentiles, and the cymatium with lions'

heads.
" The circular portion of the portico roof is formed with
stone in radiating courses, having moulded ribs and termi-
nals. Above this is an appropriate continuation of the cir-
cular vestibule, the centre of which is enriched with a conti-
nuous perforated quillochi, to light the vestibule. Above
the cornice is a trussed springer for the dome, which is pa-
nelled and ribbed, and surmounted with a carved gilt fineal.
" The flanks of the building are decorated with pilasters
(ten on each side), with continued plinth and base course
capitals, and enriched entablature, corresponding with the
front elevation, these sides being terminated with an attic.
Between the pilasters are lofty windows, with circular heads,
and surrounded with moulded architraves, eighteen in num-
ber, and by which means the spacious interior is abundantly
lighted.
" The extreme length of the building, including the por-
tico, is 127 feet, and the breadth 66 feet. There is pew ac-
commodations for 1,750 persons, besides children's galleries.
" The entrance to the ground-tloor is through corridors,
leading from the vestibule right and left.
" The principal portion of the pews are curved on the plan,
and each seat rises above the other as they retreat from the
pulpit. They are arranged throughout so that the whole
congregation .may face the minister. The aisles leading to
the raised seats are inclined planes.
" The pulpit is of elaborate design, and, together with the
staircase, is executed in Dantzic oak.
" The organ is one of the largest in town, and has been
executed by Mr. Hill, of London, the builder of the organs
in York Minster and Birmingham Town-hall. The design
of the case is of playful composition, and much enriched.
The corner towers are composed of Corinthian columns, with
gilt pipes between ; and the centre tower is three parts of a
circle, composed of gilt pipes 15 feet high, under a richly-
carved canopy. The height of the organ is 26 feet, and the
extreme breadth 21 feet. _ _

" The entrance to the gallery is from the vestibule by a
handsome double staircase, of stone, geometrically con-
structed. There is a gallery round the vestibule, under
which is placed a monument, of chaste design, opposite the
entrance door, in memory of the revered Spencer. The ves-
tibule ceiling is domed and enriched with sunk moulded
coffers.
" The ceiling of the chapel is divided into panels, which
are double sunk, moulded and enriched, and bounded by an
enriched quillochi, perforated for ventilation.
"The centre of the ceiling is circular, deeply sunk, the
sides of which are composed of open ornamental stucco work,
for ventillation ; round the edge of this sinking is a continued
fret on the face of the ceiling ; the centre flower is in bold
relief, from which is to be suspended a handsome chande-
lier, by which the whole of the gallery and the middle por-
tion of the ground floor will be lighted, when required for
evening, service. The windows are finished with enriched
archivolts springing from an enriched continued impost.
"The ground-floor, underneath the galleries, is lighted with
eighteen massive wall-brackets, one to every pier between
the windows, and one each over the doors leading to the
children's staircases, at the back of the chapel, together
with three double pendents under the deep gallery in front,
all of similar pattern, and made to the architect's design, each
bracket supporting a triple light, issuing from a sprig, and
the whole being richly gilt. The intended chandelier, now
being executed, will be nine feet in diameter, and contain a
hundred lights. This mode of lighting the chapel has been
adopted that the reciprocal view of the minister and congre-
gation may not be intercepted. The whole of the seats in
the ground-floor and galleries are handsomely furnished with
crimson moreen cushions, to secure completeness and uni-

formity.
" The basement contains two spacious school-rooms and a
lecture-room, to accommodate 450 persons, for weekly ser-
vices ; also, a library and vestry, with other minor apart-
ments. The vestries for the minister and deacons are com-
prised in a wing to the building, at the rear of the chapel-
yard, which presents a front of four lonic columns supporting
a plain entablature, the only relic of the former structure.
The chapel-yard is enclosed with handsome iron palisades, of
chaste design, and four entrance gates, the pillars of which
form pedestals for lamps; which, together with the footpath
from Great George to Nelson-street, correspond in outline
with the circular flight of steps."
The services connected with the opening commenced with a
preparatory prayer meeting at seven o'clock in the morning.
Divine service was performed in the chapel in the forenoon,
commencing with the singing of the Hundreth Psalm, after
which the Scriptures were read by the Rev. Dr. Raffles, the
minister, in an impressive tone and with a most commanding
manner. The chapters selected were the 100th and 132nd
Psalm, the 6th and part of the 7th chapter of the 2d Book of
Chronicles—all having reference to the building of the tem-
ple. After this the Doctor offered a most appropnate pruyet ,
dedicatory of the building to the worship of Almighty God.
The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Fletcher, of Step-
ney, London, from the 9th verse of the 2d chapter of the
Prophet Haggai—" The glory of this latter house shall be
greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts; and in
this place will I give peace, saith the Lord oflhosts." From
this passage the Doctor delivered an excellent practical

sermon.
After service a dinner was provided in the School-room,
underneath the Chapel. A considerable number of ladies
and gentlemen sat down, and several addresses were delivered
by ministers and others.
At three o'clock in the afternood, divine service was again
performed, the sermon being preached by the Rev. John
Kelly, minister of Crescent Chapel. Another service took
place in the evening, at which the Rev. James Parsons, of
York, delivered a very eloquent sermon.