Methodist Manse 2 Sandy's Street

Methodist Manse, 2 Sandy's Street

A substantial two-storey, three-bay symmetrical house dating from the 1860s–1870s, set to the east and rear of the Methodist Church on the north side of Sandy's Street. The building is recorded only and not listed, though its historical significance derives partly from its association with the adjacent Methodist Church.

The main block has a hipped natural slate roof with two cement-rendered chimneys set parallel to the façade behind the ridge. The eaves overhang with exposed rafter tails. Rainwater goods are half-round cast iron. The façade to Sandy's Street is pebble-dashed on a rendered base course, with a broad rendered string course between ground and first floors. All window and door openings are fitted with moulded architraves, and all windows have granite cills.

The symmetrical front elevation comprises a central entrance reached by two granite steps, with a pair of two-panel timber doors and transom above. To left and right of the entrance are tripartite sliding sash windows, each with 2/2 flanking sashes and 1/1 sidelights, all fitted with horns. At first-floor level, directly above the door, is a smaller tripartite window, identical in design but with rounded tops to the upper sidelights. To left and right at first floor are 2/2 sliding sashes in line with those below.

The left and right elevations of the main block employ similar detailing to the façade, finished with smooth line render. Each side elevation contains a 2/2 sash to ground floor and first floor.

The rear elevation is considerably more complex, abutted by two two-storey primary returns set parallel but slightly inset from the main block line. These returns have hipped roofs of artificial slate and wall finishes matching the side elevation. The left return has a 2/2 sash to each floor on its left elevation, with a further 2/2 sash at top left. The right return's right elevation is blank.

Both primary returns are abutted at centre by a two-storey secondary return, flanked by one-storey secondary returns to left and right. The secondary return at the left has a pitched natural slate roof, line render walls with the left cheek harled, and half-round metal gutters; its right cheek is abutted by the central secondary return. Between the middle and right secondary returns is a 2/2 sash to ground and first floors of the right primary return.

The central secondary return has a natural slate pitched roof, line render walls, half-round metal gutters, and a one-storey gabled porch on its front with artificial monopitch roof and door on the left cheek. At first-floor level of this gable is a 1/1 sash. The right cheek has two 2/2 sashes to ground and first floors. The right secondary return has an artificial slate monopitch roof, half-round metal gutters, a timber-and-groove door accessed via four concrete steps on its end wall, a modern window in the left cheek, and a blank right cheek.

The building is surrounded by gardens to side and rear. It is first documented in the 1873 Valuation revision book and appears on the Ordnance Survey map of the same date.