Wigan Album

I wonder if the builder of this Chapel built the terrace as well. The brick work again is so intricate. The ornamental terracotta balls on the plinths, remind me of the last house I lived in. One night all along the road I lived they were all stolen. Couldn't get them replaced, I believe they were worth a lot of money and were considered antiques, a course of bricks were sprised off with them! Must have been very sought after, as the ones in the photo would have been...you can imagine 'Dad's Army' requisitioning the Chapel...

I like the dandy gate that leads to the front door.
I also wonder which of the two would reach the highest figure if put up for auction, the cart or the signage above the door. If I had the money and the signage was free of flake, … .

Andrew. I have left some relevant comments reference this item, on your photograph, showing the Excelsior van

What a brilliant photo! Absolutely fascinating. I would love to do a "Gary Sparrow" and go back to see it.

Veronica, around were I live there was a few years ago, a spate of thefts of those ornate terracotta gate post finials, I was told they got quite a lot of money for them.

Excelsior's gate post finials seem to have been of the shiney, red type. I remember seeing one with damage that revealed a hollow centre and twisted chicken wire, at the top of Orrell Mount a while ago - I'd previously thought that they were more bumptious.

I have mentioned this on a previous occasion. When the home guard were established in the building, we were returning home to No2 St Clement’s Street. I was with my guardian, as my parents were on war work. It was. a moonlit night, as we turned the corner from Warrington Road, into St Clement’s Street, one of the home guard shoved his rifle towards my guardian, an elderly lady, and me .The bayonet was about four feet from us, and it gleamed in the moonlight. He shouted “Halt, who goes there?” My guardian shouted at the top of her. Voice. “It’s Eadie, only Eadie” He certainly petrified us.

It happened 20 years ago Cyril I ended up paying for my elderly neighbour's as well because she wasn't insured and we shared one in the middle! What was replaced was inferior to the original...I believe they were gypsies who did it... I do not know how they removed them without anyone hearing them and the weight of them! Whoever did it - I hoped they would drop on their toes and break them...

Did this building later revert to being a chapel - as a chapel of ease for St William's ?

Andrew. Your grandfather must have served me on numerous occasion, at the shop, on the corner of Warrington Road, with St clement’s Street. My recollection of it. Always clean, and tidy.

Sorry Andrew. The proprietors of shop were Hall, and then Gwilliam. I mistaking thought that you mentioned that your grandfather owned the shop, on the corner of Warrington Road/ St Clement’s Street.

In reply to Albert, I think it's all a matter of "when" as regards the shop at the corner of Warrington Road and St Clement's Street. John Evans is listed there on the 1901 census .. so a long time ago now. Very pleased, though, to hear your recollections, which help shed some light on these family photos that have been shut away in a tin box maybe for half a century.

A response for John - I did a funeral visit this afternoon for the mother of a family who attended the Chapel in the 1950/60's - so you're right - it did have a later life as a Chapel attached to St William's. Evidently it had a small gallery - where there was a small organ and chairs for a small choir.