Park Lane Unitarian And Free Christian Chapel

ASHTON IN MAKERFIELD WIGAN ROAD SD 50 SE (west side) 9/9 Park Lane Unitarian and Free Christian 7.12.66 Chapel II Unitarian chapel. 1697 with alterations of 1871 and 2-storey extension of 1867. Pebble-dashed brick with stone dressings and stone slate roof. 5 bays, the western bay of 2 storeys with gables to north and south. Stone base, weathered buttresses with decorated gablets, 2 raking buttresses to north, top corbelled frieze, 2 string courses. Straight- headed windows with plaster surrounds and C19 glazing. 3 urns on plinths to south side. East facade has coped gable with ball finial; 2 round-headed lights and roundel with C19 stained glass. Western bay has 2 string courses, segmental- headed entrance to south, paired round-headed windows above have pilasters and archivolts. Square bell turret to junction of ridges has open sides and pyramidal shingled roof. West facade has round-headed windows, 2 to ground floor, one of 2 lights to 1st floor. Interior has wainscotting formed from doors to original box pews with initials of owners and date 1697. Arch-braced canted ceiling conceals original roof trusses. West gallery over entrance hall of school. Original pulpit at east end has bolection- moulded panels, and brass memorial plaque dated 1775 from a chapel at Prescot. The oldest non-conformist chapel in the district.

Listing NGR: SD5687101658