New Workington Church Opened.
(2nd February 1933)
The opening and dedication on Thursday of the Workington New Emmanuel Church was
the triumphant fulfilment of a dream of one of the smallest, yet gallant, companies
of worshippers in the town. Less than seven years ago they were a part of Christ
Church, and when they broke away, the only place available wherein to foregather
as a separate sect was a tiny room in William Street. Their numbers increased so
rapidly that the meeting place became hopelessly incapable of accommodating them
all, and four years ago, with a new minister, the Rev. F. Smith, as their guide and
inspiration, they resolved to build their own church. At a cost of £4,000, the undertaking,
though launched during an era of unparalleled economic depression by a wholly working
class congregation, has been seen through to a successful culmination, demonstrated
in a beautiful well-appointed building standing in a commanding position overlooking
the town's park, of which an uninterrupted view is obtained from the entrance porch
and west front. The exterior of the church is designed on modern lines, and while
retaining the dignity associated with ecclesiastical buildings gives a free and pleasing
effect. The materials used in the construction of the fabric are Whitehaven rustic
bricks, with white reconstructed stone dressings, the whole being blended together
by the use of a white cement joint. The roof covering is of olive green Buttermere
slate laid in diminishing courses. and the steel' frame windows have pale green cathedral
glass in lead cases. The main entrance doors, over which is a beautiful stained glass
transome light, are of English oak with hammered iron fittings, and give access to
the entrance porch, on each side of which is an inner porch leading to the church
proper. The church itself is a spacious building, 50ft, by 33ft.6in, and will seat
approximately 200 worshippers, all of whom obtain an unrestricted view of the pulpit.
The pulpit and communion rail are of good design and workmanship and are constructed
of the finest selected Austrian oak. The pews and choir seating are substantially
constructed of Columbian redwood. To the rear of the church are the minister's vestry,
the choir vestry and the usual annexes.
(Reproduced with kind permission of Cumbria Newspapers Ltd.)
