Memorial Hall, Manchester Explained

Memorial Hall
Mapframe:no
Map Type:Greater Manchester
Building Type:Meeting room
Architectural Style:Venetian Gothic Revival
Location:Manchester, England
Address:1 and 3 Southmill Street
Albert Square
Manchester
M2 5DB
Start Date:1864
Completion Date:1866
Architect:Thomas Worthington

The Memorial Hall in Albert Square, Manchester, England, was constructed in 1863–1866 by Thomas Worthington. It was built to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of the 1662 Act of Uniformity. One of the best examples of Venetian Gothic revival in the city, the hall is a Grade II* listed building.

History

The hall was built to commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of the 1662 Act of Uniformity, when the secession of some 2,000 Anglican clergy led to the birth of Nonconformism. Surplus funds from the Albert Memorial were used to pay for the building.[1] The architect was Thomas Worthington, who had a large and successful practice in Manchester.

The hall provided a meeting place in the late 19th century for a host of Victorian societies, such as the Photographic, Statistical, Horticultural, Elocutionists and Positivists Societies. Other groups which used the building included the Home Missionary Board, Sir Charles Hallé's choir and the Manchester Unitarian Sunday School Union. The ground floor and basement were let to provide an income for the maintenance of the hall.

After a period of disuse and dereliction in the early 21st century, the hall was renovated 2012 and now houses a bar, restaurant and hotel.[2]

Architecture

The Memorial Hall is one of the best examples in Manchester of the Venetian Gothic revival style, inspired by such buildings as the Ca' d'Oro, with fine stone tracery on all windows and a palatial exterior. Worthington designed the building after his second tour of Italy in 1858. The detailing is fine and "the subtlety of the polychromy (was) achieved by careful choice of materials". The hall is a Grade II* listed building as of 14 February 1972.

See also

References

53.4788°N -2.2461°W

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Albert Square Conservation Area. Manchester City Council. 20 April 2022.
  2. Web site: Memorial Hall, Manchester. Thomasons Structural Engineers. 20 April 2022.