Story: Elizabeth & Gordon Shaw
At the junction of Carwood Road and Grimesthorpe Road stands a building known as the Cornerstone. It is home to the 76th Scouts, who meet there on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evenings.
It is also used as a polling station, so many people in the area will be familiar with both the inside and outside of the building. But what about its history?
Jim Gilbert, Scout Master, has used the building since joining the Scouts at 11 years old. He asked if the Local History Group could find out how old the building is.
An article in the Sheffield Telegraph in January 1887 tells us not only how old the building is, but also how it came to be built.
All Saints Church did not have a church hall. Some social activities took place in a small room in the grounds of All Saints Vicarage on Grimesthorpe Road but more space was needed. An anonymous benefactor gave the money for a new building and the enlargement of the one already being used. Architects Flockton & Gibbs drew up plans, Chambers & Sons commenced building and the opening ceremony and dedication took place on 10th January 1887. The total cost was £1,200 and Sir John Brown also donated “100 handsome chairs”. Whilst some of the original features have been retained, including the wooden panelling around the lower part of the walls, none of the ‘handsome chairs’ have survived.
Reporting on the opening of the room, Sir John Brown is quoted as saying:
“the room had been on his mind for years but he had never before seen the opportunity of carrying out his earnest wish and desire. In handing over the room for the Rev. Mr Shaw for the use of All Saints Church as an institute for ever – [applause]- it would be some satisfaction to know that in it they would not be fettered at all.”
He went on to say:
“He hoped and prayed sincerely that it might be a blessing to the large, important, and increasing neighbourhood.”
In his turn, Rev. Shaw had this to say about the proposed use of the building:
“The spiritual welfare of the congregation was the first object with which that Institute would be used. The donor, however, believed that a Christian was all the better for being healthy and with that object in view a care had been taken for the physical development of the members. With regard to the mental and moral improvement of those who were connected with the society, a very good programme of lectures had been provided for the evening session. They were very fortunate in having had the room given to them, and the best way by which they could show their gratitude was to use it freely and well. The donor would be quite satisfied if he was able to learn that the room was used to such an extent as showed that the congregation appreciated and valued his gift.”
Although wishing to remain anonymous, Robert Hadfield, who also attended the ceremony, was generally acknowledged as the donor.
It is now 127 years since the building was opened and it is still being used and ‘appreciated’ by the community.