Day 60 - Supporting an Outside Wall

Week 13 - Day 60
A section of the outside wall on the Jackson Pit elevation was cut away in the past to enable a flue to be inserted  from a kitchen range to a chimney inserted between two windows. Where the flue passed between the wall and the chapel floor it was constructed of plaster and there was little supporting the wall above. See below how a new concrete beam is inserted to take the weight of the wall above.
The flue itself had been built within the cavity wall of the original construction.

Day 59 - The Variety of Works to the Roof, Walls, Ceiling, Chapel Floor, Woodwork and the Cellar

Week 14 - Day 59
Work proceeds on the roof, the ceiling, the chapel floor, the woodwork and in the cellar.

The two chimney stacks are almost completely rebuilt.

Repointing to the end gable facing David Street.

Work continues to put up the laths that will hold the lime plaster ceiling.

Boarding is taped down to the chapel floor
to protect the original floor boards.

The pulpit and front of the pews are sanded down now that the
wood graining has been removed.

The damp-proof tanking band is applied to the lower sections
of the outer walls in the cellar.

Day 58 - A Hymn Book Found under a Pew

Wek 13 - Day 58
A paperback hymn book was found underneath one of the pews that have to be removed to make way for the new stairs and lift.
The hymn book is Sacred Songs and Solos and New Hymns and Solos 888 pieces by Ira D. Sankey
It belonged to Mrs Marlor.
Read about Sankey and Moodey from the biography, My life and the story of the gospel hymns and of sacred songs and solo written by Ira D. Sankey (1840-1908) 1906.

Hymn Book found at George Street Chapel, Oldham.
Sacred Songs and Solos
Ira D, Sankey

Day 57 - Ceiling laths and roof insulation

Week 13 - Day 57
The work to put the ceiling laths in place continues.
Also today, an experiment in placing the roof insulation in place. This has to be put in place between the ceiling and the roof slates, but can't rest on top of the laths as the insulation will be laid before the plaster in spread through the laths to key it in place. So, the insulation needs to be laid over a mesh of string with clearance between it and the top of the laths!
With the laths in place some detail of the purlins becomes clearer to see from the top - but is hidden from view from below!

One bay of laths completed in the roof of George Street Chapel, Oldham.

Roof insulation between the rafters and over the
ceiling laths.

Insulation laid between rafters over the ceiling laths
at George Street Chapel, Oldham

Underside view of the purlin arrangement.
Detail being hidden by the ceiling laths.

Top view of the tusked purlins at George Street Chapel.

A choice of different types of slate for the roof
for George Street Chapel, Oldham.

Day 56 - Making Good - flue arch, door. chimney

Week 13 - Day 56
Today elements started to be finished off, closed off and sealed.

The brick arch that formed the horizontal flue from the central kitchen range and the flue built into the rear wall was re-mortared today. This involved the making of a timber template to make sure that  arch was supported and rebuilt to match its original form. All this brickwork will be hidden from view after the plasterers do their job and cover it with lime plaster.

A doorway which gave access to one of the cellar dwellings from George Street has been sealed up. This area is to be adapted to provide the new toilet facilities in the cellar. Unfortunately, they have to be put somewhere to enable the chapel to have modern facilities for its new users.

On the roof the chimneys have been sealed to prevent damp penetration into the stacks and the roof.

Doorway entrance from George Street to one of the cellar dwellings
now sealed up.

Timber formwork used to support the brick arch during restoration.

Capping sealing the top of the chimney stacks.

Day 55 - Pottery Finds

Week 12 - Day 55
Only a few finds from the cellar of the chapel. We saw the glass beer bottles earlier. The bits of pottery have now been cleaned. Still awaiting identification.

Pottery fragments found around the footings of the external walls
of George Street Chapel, Oldham.

Day 54 - Removing Paint from Doors

Week 12 - Day 54
More paint stripping this week. This time it is the doors that get full attention. Meanwhile it is possible to get a feel for what the pulpit and choir pews might look like if it is decided just to give them a light stain rather than a paint finish.