Burnley Plumbing Supplies proudly occupies the historic Hanover Chapel, a landmark that brings a sense of continuity to our work in the plumbing and hardware industry. Once a gathering place for worship, the chapel has been repurposed to house our main storefront, while the attached Sunday school building now serves as our warehouse, accommodating a vast inventory for the community’s needs. This blend of history and functionality gives our business a unique character, bridging Burnley’s past with its present. The chapel and Sunday school, once centers of community and learning, continue to serve Burnley—now as a trusted resource for quality supplies and service.
Building Name
Hanover Chapel. Old Hall Street, Burnley
Date 1897 – 1899
Street Old Hall Street
District/Town Burnley
County/Country Lancashire, England
Architect George Edward Bolshaw
Client Trustees of the United Methodist Free Church
Work New build
Hanover Methodist Church, was built in 1897-1898 and replaced an older chapel of 1862. Located on Old Hall Street it closed in the 1960s and after remaining vacant for several years it was taken over by a plumber’s merchant – Burnley Plumbing Supplies (Established in 1990). The foundation stone was laid on 27 November 1897 by Mrs Wiliam Dickinson.
Historical information for the construction and history of Hanover Chapel is taken from various web sources and shown below.
TO BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS. PERSONS DESIROUS of TENDERING for the whole, or any of the trades in the erection of a NEW CHAPEL Old Hall Street, for the Trustees the United Free Church, are requested to send in their application together with deposit of 5s. to the Architect, Mr. G. E. BOLSHAW, 189. Lord-street Southport, by whom quantities and particulars will be supplied in due course. [Burnley Express 12 June 1897 page 4] Burnley Gazette 5 June 1897 page 6]
METHODIST CHAPEL BURNLEY The memorial stones were laid recently of the new chapel which is being erected by the United Methodist Free Church connexion. The chapel will seat 675 persons. In addition to the present schools, the new chapel will contain two vestries and six classrooms for the use of scholars, while in the basement a heating cellar, a kitchen and a store room are to be provided. Mr G E Bolshaw of Southport is the architect. … It is expected that the cost of the chapel will be about £3,400. [Builder 11 December 1897 page 502]
NEW CHAPEL FOR BURNLEY. U.M.F.C. EXTENSIONS. Thursday was important day with United Methodist Free Church people in Burnley Lane, inasmuch there was opened the new Hanover Chapel. The new premises have been built alongside the school, which has since its erection some years ago served the dual purpose of school and chapel. Of the new chapel one, can speak only words praise. It occupies a site the corner Grey-street and Old Hall-street, with a frontage the latter. The building has an imposing elevation, being of the Italian Renaissance style, and is faced throughout, with Yorkshire stone. As to the interior, it is galleried, and comprises a meeting room, minister’s vestry, five class-rooms, lavatories, and kitchen, with a heating and store cellar in the basement. The chapel portion ts made to seat 650 persons. Being in close contiguity to the school, the new building has been planned to have direct communication with the old premises, which, taking the five new classrooms into consideration, will undoubtedly prove of immense service for Sunday-school purposes. The interior woodwork is of varnished pitch pine, whilst ceiling is of a coved, panelled, and moulded description. Then the chapel is exceedingly well lighted and ventilated, and a great advantage in many respects-— which the major portion of our chapels is deficient—is that the floor slopes towards the rostrum, thus enabling every member of congregation to have uninterrupted view of communion. On Mr. G. E. Bolshaw, of Southport and Crewe, the architect, is reflected the greatest credit for the excellent structure which has been designed him, and under his supervision, at a cost of £3,500. Mr. Bolshaw’s designs were selected in competition. The contractors’ work was carried out by the following: Stonework, Messrs. A. and R. Parker; joiners, Messrs. R. Dean and Son: plastering, Mr. Robt. Smith; slating, Mr. W. Stanworth; plumbing and glazing, Mr. E. Roberts; painting. Messrs. Preston and Son; heating, Messrs. Dilworth and Carr, Preston. [Burnley Express 14 January 1899 page 5]
Reference Builder 26 June 1897 page 578 – contracts
Reference Building News 18 June 1897 page 906 – contracts, erroneously listed as Buckley
Reference Burnley Express Saturday 19 June 1897 page 4 – contracts
Reference Accrington Observer and Times Saturday 12 June 1897 Page 4 – contracts
Reference Burnley Gazette Saturday 5 June 1897 Page 6 – contracts
Reference Burnley Express Saturday 19 June 1897 page 4 – contracts
Reference Builder 11 December 1897 page 502
Reference Burnley Express 14 January 1899 page 5 – OPENING