Story: Elizabeth and Gordon Shaw
Ellesmere Green is currently in the news due to the plans for improvement. There will be many people living in, or passing through the area, who are unaware that this was the site of the Wicker Congregational Church.
Three Deacons and 43 members of the Queen Street Church formed the Wicker Congregational Church. Alderman F Hoole laid the first stone on 18th April 1854. The Church was described as being built in ‘early decorative style’, able to seat 1,000 and cost £4,500. In 1855 the Sheffield Independent Newspaper had an advert for the ‘Opening Services of the Wicker Congregational Church on Sunday July 15’. There was a morning and evening service with collections made during each service for the Building Fund. This was followed by an Ordination Service on July 18th with seven Reverends taking part. Dinner was provided in the Wicker School Room at 3pm – tickets half-a-crown each (12.5p).
The same newspaper also ran an article, on 16 January 1861, about the opening of the new schools erected adjoining the Wicker Congregational Church at a cost of £2,000.
“The schools, backed by the church, form a very imposing group. The principal front, towards Gower Street, is 138 feet long and the flanks at either end forming the gables are 36 feet wide. The end next the church, fronting to Barnsley Road, is very effective, presenting three two-light windows, of simple design extending from the ground to the upper floor. The schools are arranged to fit the peculiar shape of the ground. On the basement storey is the lower day school for 400 children. Immediately over this room, and approached by an entrance hall leading from Gower Street, is the principal school room, about 60 feet long with accommodation for 400 children in classes. From the same entrance the lecture room is approached with capacity for 150 scholars. There are also four classrooms… giving accommodation to about 150 scholars.’
Still listed in Kelly’s Directory in 1968, the church was eventually demolished and the site was grassed over for seating and trees.
