Former Odd Whim Public House

Former Odd Whim Public House

This building, located at Park Square, was originally constructed as a gatehouse to a Millenarian religious scheme centred on Ashton-under-Lyne, established by the visionary John Wroe. Built in 1825, it subsequently underwent later alterations and was eventually used as a public house before ceasing that function.

The exterior is constructed of red brick, painted to the front elevation, with a slate roof. The main front features a projecting recent ground-floor extension. The right-hand section of the building comprises a formerly symmetrical square structure with a pyramidal roof, presenting two bays to the entrance front and three bays (the outer ones blind) to the right-hand return. A pedimented Ionic doorcase set between large windows originally formed the entrance, though this is now obscured by the ground-floor extension. Segmental window arches remain visible on the side and rear walls. The left-hand continuation of the building, featuring two windows at first-floor level, is contemporary with the rest of the structure and is not a later extension.

The interior has not been inspected, though it is believed to be considerably altered.

Historically, this is the sole surviving building associated with John Wroe (1782–1863), a successor to the Millenarian prophet Joanna Southcott. Wroe founded a cult called the Christian Israelites, which attracted considerable following during the 1820s. He prophesied that a sanctuary in which the godly would survive the Apocalypse should be constructed in Ashton-under-Lyne. In 1825, a grand sanctuary (now the site of the town's sorting office) and four gatehouses were erected: this building is the only survivor from this unique instance of a built Millenarian scheme. Following notorious behaviour, Wroe departed Ashton in 1830 after an inquest held in this building. His cult nonetheless persisted elsewhere, particularly in Australia. The building was subsequently employed as a cholera hospital in 1832, with associated burials believed to be in the vicinity, before becoming a public house in 1837, known as The Odd Whim. It was renamed the Stamford Park Hotel around 1880. The ground-floor front extension dates to the late 20th century.

The building is listed for its special historical interest rather than architectural importance, having undergone adverse alterations. It represents a unique survival of a building erected as part of a Millenarian scheme and is a remarkable reflection of popular religion during an epoch of social, economic and political upheaval. Wroe was the subject of the 1991 novel by Jane Rogers, 'Mr Wroe's Virgins'. A metal plaque commemorating the site has been erected by Tameside Metropolitan Borough.