Methodist Central Hall

Methodist Central Hall, Fisher Street, Carlisle

Built in 1922, Methodist Central Hall was designed by A Brocklehurst and A W Hornabrook of Brocklehurst and Co, Manchester, and H E Ayris of Carlisle. It was constructed by Laings of Carlisle as a steel-framed structure with local red sandstone ashlar and panels of sand-faced red brick on the first floor, all beneath a Cumbrian slate roof. An octagonal roof crowns the central hall and is surmounted by a ventilation lantern.

The building's plan comprises a central octagonal hall on the ground floor with a crush hall and side corridors around it, plus a gallery above. Flanking wings contain basements and two storeys.

The principal elevation displays a central pedimented section flanked by low wings with aedicules. A decorative date panel sits within the central pediment, which is supported on giant ashlar pilasters rising from a rusticated sandstone plinth. The entablature bears raised lettering reading "METHODIST CENTRAL HALL". Between the giant pilasters, the elevation divides into four elements. On the ground floor are four voussoir arches with keystones: two semi-circular arched fanlights over doors with cornices on decorative consoles, and two full-height round-headed windows. All feature leaded glazing in small panels divided by white painted timber glazing bars. The central bay's first floor is recessed with a curved façade divided into four panels by pilasters without caps or bases. Each panel contains an upper sandstone section with an oculus decorated with festoons. The flanking bays are almost symmetrical, each with two lights on every floor followed by an aedicule on the first floor. These aedicules have curved leaded hoods on decorative consoles over the side entrance doors. The south-east wing extends one light further to fill the gap with the adjacent town clerk's office and is set at a slight angle to align with that building's frontage.

The interior houses a central octagonal hall with choir, rostrum and organ facing the congregation, with vestries and ancillary rooms behind. The hall seats 1,200 people. The gallery is supported on fourteen steel cantilevers encased in plaster decoration. Wooden panelling lines the lower walls at ground and first-floor levels. Full-height leaded stained glass windows light three sides of the hall. An elaborately carved wooden pulpit stands before the original piped organ, which is set within a carved wooden organ case decorated with a geometric frieze in gold leaf. Stained glass windows flank the organ pipes, depicting the Christian values of Faith, Charity, Peace and Courage; they were designed and made by Messrs Humphries, Jackson and Ambler Ltd. of Manchester. Painted wooden panelling along the gallery includes wreath detailing. The concave ceiling features circular lattice air vents and frieze detailing incorporating knots, foliage and festoons. Side corridors are lined with wooden panelling and further stained glass. The flanking wings contain ancillary rooms with original staircases, plasterwork, fireplaces and wooden panelling.

This Methodist Central Hall, built to a high standard of design, retains an intact set of interior fittings and possesses considerable architectural and historic interest. It commands significant architectural presence within the city centre and reflects the continuing importance of non-Conformist worship in Carlisle during the early twentieth century.