Description

SJ 89 SW, 698-1/8/827

MANCHESTER,
COLLEGE ROAD,
Whalley Range (South side),
GMB National College

(Formerly Listed as: COLLEGE ROAD, Whalley Range (South side) Lancashire Independent College)

03/10/74

GV

II*

College for training of Non-Conformist ministers, Trade
Union college when surveyed. 1840-43, by Irwin and Chester, wings re-built
to 3 storeys and hall added in late 1870s; altered. Sandstone
ashlar (brick at rear), slate roofs. Elongated E-plan, the
main range facing north, with rear wings, that in the centre
containing the former chapel or hall. Gothick style. Two
storeys raised over a full basement storey, plus central
tower, 1:9:3:9:1 windows, symmetrical, the centre and ends
breaking forwards. The central entrance block, forming an
eye-catching feature, has set-back buttresses (finished as
pinnacles), steps up to a moulded Tudor-arched doorway under a
shield with angel supporters, a full-height oriel above with
transomed windows of 3 and 2 stages separated by panelling
with a clock-face, a pierced parapet and crocketed corner
pinnacles, and an octagonal 2-stage lantern with open
arcading, gargoyles and pinnacles. The 9-bay side ranges have
Tudor-arched arcades to a cloister which runs through the
whole and has 2-light mullioned windows to the basement, a
string-course over this, large 6-light mullion-and-transom
windows to the principal floor with a drip-band stepped over
them, 2-light mullioned windows to the top floor, and an
embattled parapet. The wings have oriel windows and
crow-stepped gables with crocketed corner pinnacles. All
windows have geometrical leaded glazing. The rear and rear
wings, of brick, have similar transomed windows, those in the
hall Tudor-arched and with cusped lights. Interior: galleried
entrance hall; good Gothick decoration to most rooms on the
principal floor (including Tudor-arched doors, moulded plaster
ceilings, fireplaces, etc.

History: built to provide higher education for Nonconformists
(excluded from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge until 1871), ante-dating Owens College
(1851) with which it jointly established the Victoria
University of Manchester in 1880.

Listing NGR: SJ8254394730

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• British Muslim Heritage Centre at Wikipedia
• British Muslim Heritage Centre official website
• Wikidata Q4970378

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

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