A Sensitive Restoration And Conversion
The History Of The Building
The Bourne located on Main Street in Frodsham came to life as Bourne Methodist Chapel and Schoolhouse when it was officially opened on Thursday, 11th July 1878. It is named after Hugh Bourne (1772-1852), one of the founders of Primitive Methodism. It was constructed at a cost of £700 and proved a quality addition equal to the historic structures of Main Street. The schoolhouse to the rear predates the chapel and was built between 1874 and 1876. The Chapel and linked Schoolhouse continued in use for over a Century until the final service was held in Easter 1987, soon after which the buildings were converted for office use.
The Bourne now begins a new chapter in it’s life with the quality of the building once again being paramount as the Chapel and Schoolhouse are sensitively renovated to form four new distinctive townhouses.
Hugh Bourne
Hugh Bourne along with William Clowes was the joint founder of Primitive Methodism, the largest offshoot of Wesleyan Methodism and, in the mid nineteenth century, an influential Protestant Christian movement in its own right.
Hugh Bourne was born on 3 April 1772 at Ford Hayes Farm, Ford Hayes Lane, Bucknall, now within the present-day boundaries of Stoke-on- Trent, Staffordshire.
Hugh was the son of Joseph and Ellen Bourne. In 1788, after basic training as a carpenter, Hugh moved to the nearby mining village of Bemersley (in the north-eastern fringe of the present-day Stoke-on-Trent) and was apprenticed to his uncle as a wheelwright. After ‘serving his time’ learning the trade, Hugh specialised principally in making and repairing windmill and watermill wheels.
Hugh Bourne was one of the most influential religious “revolutionaries” of the 18th Century. He originally followed the Wesleyan form of service but later recognised that these sermons were out-dated and bored the people. Bourne recognised that people had no interest in the Church; a change was needed. He reformed the procedure of Methodist services by conducting them outside rather than in a building. He brought people back to nature, out in the open, where their God could see them praising the Lord. Why should they be confined to a dull, constructed building which did nothing for the spreading of the word?
The Design
The existing fabric has been completely restored and repaired. The tall arched windows have been retained and reglazed. The decorative brick arches and stone detailing cleaned and repaired.
Designed by award winning architects Ollier Smurthwaite the existing building has been sensitively restored to provide four new bespoke townhouses. The Chapel will contain two three storey townhouses with stunning double height spaces featuring the original decorative timber trusses arching over the central dining rooms. The Schoolhouse will contain a further two townhouses arranged over two floors with the benefit of their own private garden. Car parking is provided for each dwelling in the secure basement garage.
The conversion work has been well considered to compliment the building as it was when conceived. Towards the middle of the 19th century the Revd Frederick Jobson (who trained as an architect) argued for beauty and perfection in design and execution of Methodist Churches without unnecessary adornment.
Buildings were then seen essentially as tools for preaching and mission, not as objects for veneration in their own right. Pure functionality was the original driving force for their design.
The new contemporary modern interior free from unnecessary decoration fits well with the buildings original ethos.
The Specification
These bespoke two and three storey homes provide incredibly spacious accommodation with generous room sizes and tall ceilings. The contemporary modern style of the interior compliments the traditional fabric of the building with sleek minimalist kitchens and designer sanitaryware.
A restrained palette of materials is used to evoke the minimal detail associated with the Methodist philosophy. Materials are chosen that have a timeless elegance. Oak and marble are used with modern detailing to ensure they don’t date. Door handles, light fitting and switches are to be a classic design to fit with the date of the existing building.
A unique development of four contemporary 2 & 3 bed townhouses
All enquiries: 01928 739777
