Sunday School

WESTON RHYN C.P. HIGH STREET (west side) SJ 23 NE 1/103 Sunday School II Sunday School. Dated 1882 (on rainwater head) with minor later alterations. Ruabon red brick; red machine tile roofs (some hipped) with ornamental ceramic cresting and finials. Vernacular Revival style. Wide 'nave' to right with circular turret to front right-hand corner has hip-roofed 'transept' to left and lower range attached to left gable end. One storey and attic. Scattered fenestration; multi-paned leaded windows throughout. 'Nave' has gabled dormer breaking eaves to left with carved brackets supporting bargeboards; gabled eaves dormer to right has stepped lights with transoms and cinquefoil heads and blind quatrefoils to woodwork directly above 4- light mullion window. Hip-roofed projection has two 3-light mullion windows to ground floor with segmental-headed relieving arches above. First floor has two 2-light Gothic-style windows with moulded cill set in pointed relieving arch. Green-glazed ceramic ornamental infill with representations of cherubs to window heads. Large oval-shaped medallion, also with green- glazed panel, depicting Christ in Glory, seated with child and superscription "SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME" and continued below in space between windows "OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN." Bracketed purlin ends and collar to overhanging gable, which has diamond-shaped integral end stack. Turret has narrow rectangular slit openings (lighting internal staircase) at different levels with blind cusped heads; stepped Lombard frieze below viewing gallery with small fixed-light windows. Angled struts to conical spire, which has elaborately decorated cast-iron finial. 7-Panel door to left side of turret on ground floor. Lower hip-roofed range attached to left gable end of 'nave' has 5-light mullion window to front and small louvre to left with oak-shingled pyramidal cap. Rear (west) elevation similar in style with porch to left and hip-roofed projection in corresponding position to that in front. Interior. 'Nave' has elaborately trussed roof with curved braces and iron ties; iron grille to gallery at 'west' end with built-in bookcases to room below. Exposed yellow brick and brown- glazed tiles to walls, and pointed stone arch with leaf moulding to 'east' end. Pointed recess behind has floral and leaf decoration to tiles with legend "TAKE FAST HOLD OF / INSTRUCTION / LET HER NOT GO / KEEP TO HER / FOR SHE IS THY LIFE;" stained glass in window to right. Ornate tile fireplaces in 'nave' and lower range, former with fleur-de-lys decoration. Turret has stone spiral staircase with cast-iron stick balusters to top. The Sunday School cost £4000 to build. Kelly's Directory of Shropshire (1900), p.277.

Listing NGR: SJ2824836031