PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
|
|
The Western College for the admission of young men as Independent ministers was established in 1752 at Exeter. In 1845 it was removed to Plymouth. In April 1860 work started on erecting a new building for the College, to the designs of Mr James Hine. It stood -- indeed it still stands -- on the brow of Townsend Hill, overlooking Mutley Plain and the valley through which the railway runs. Built of grey limestone, with doorways and the pointed arches of the windows in white Bath stone from the quarries of Messrs Randell and Saunders, of Corsham, near Bath. Over the central porch was the library, the roof of which was covered with grey Devon slates and the redder Welsh slates. On either side of this centre point were the class-rooms, with eight studies below and bedrooms for the students above. At the western end of the building was the twelve-roomed house for the professor, which although separate and set back by about 16 feet, was connected to the main building by a small turret. Upon the capitals of the pillars which supported the arches of the upper windows were clusters and wreaths of ivy, sycamore, chestnut and vine leaves, with the heart's tongue, marsh-mallow, water-dock and other wild plants, hand-carved from nature with great care and skill by Mr Ross of Plymouth. Similar carvings were due to be put on the capitals of the pillars of the lower windows. Chocolate and black encaustic tiles were used to form simple geometric patterns on the floor of the main hall. It measured 20 feet 3 inches by 18 feet by 12 feet 6 inches. Opposite the main entrance were three arches, between which was incised the dates of founding of the College and the erection of the new building. Around the central arch was scrolled the words "Thy Kingdom come" and "Thy Will be done". A Portland stone staircase led from the entrance lobby up to the library, which was a lofty room without a ceiling but with a gallery at the north end. Some 130 students could be accommodated here. there was a huge chimney-piece at the eastern end of the library, constructed with pillars of red marble and surmounted with capitals of white stone. From the stained rafters hung a blue and chocolate coloured corona, relieved by gilding, around which were the gas burners. This was supplied by Messrs Peard and Jackson, of London. The bookshelves, tables and chairs, in the library and in the class-rooms, were of stained wood. At the rear of the main building was the refectory, some 23 feet by 16, with apartments for the housekeeper, kitchens and domestic offices. The contractor was Messrs Call and Pethick; the clerk of works was Mr Hamlyn; the carvers were Messrs Tucker and Ross; the painter was Mr Saunders; the limestone was supplied by Messrs Sparrow Brothers & Scott; the grates and bells came from Mr Plimsaull; the cooking stoves from Mr Hearder; the gas fittings were supplied by Mr F Harris; the encaustic tiles came from the Architectural Pottery Company, of Poole, Dorset; and the furniture, which was designed by the architect, was made by Mr Rendle. Western College was opened on Wednesday June 10th 1861.
|
