Re-discovering Edgar Wood

Long Street Methodist Church, Middleton by 1899-1901 by Edgar Wood

I love architecture for more than just the visual delights it entails. I also love it for the journey that it takes me upon. One such journey is with the architecture of Edgar Wood (1860-1935). I have a strong relationship with his Long Street Methodist Church of 1899-1901. I am a 'Friend' and recently had an exhibition  put on permenant display within the school rooms which form the southern wing of a courtyard linking the spiritual with the secular.

Redcroft and Fencegate, Middleton 1895 by Edgar Wood

The journey I have had with this particular architect has been enlightening to say the least. Wood was born in Middleton where I was brought up from the age of 3. As a child I was aware of his buildings and went to the infant school at Durnford Street which he built in association with James Henry Sellers. Our local news agents was also built by Wood and stands opposite a house he built for himself at Redcroft. I sort of knew, but didn't know (if you know what I mean) that these buildings looked different than the others around the town.

Walking into Middleton as a teenager I would peer through the gates of the Methodist Church at the Nirvana within.  The gates reveal a courtyard which has a real magical sense of enclosure; a haven and oasis in the middle of urbanity.

Detail from gates to the courtyard at Long Street Methodist Church

Later, as an adult I became involved with Long Street Methodist church as a 'Friend' and as a part of the group helped develop strategies to try and raise the profile of a building which is under threat because of a dwindling congregation and increasing costs.

Cornerstone Magazine for the Friends of Long Street Methodist Church

I have to admit that it was always the exterior which fascinated me. It was some way expressive of an individual spirit - real cutting edge architecture.  

Long Street Methodist Church exterior detail

During September I had my passions re-ignited for all things Wood related and met some wonderful people during the Heritage Open Day who fuelled my interest in expanding my knowledge about the wider context of Wood's work. 

I am always fascinated by associations and sources of inspiration and in researching these for Wood I came across a list as long as my arm:

People

Mackmurdo, Mackintosh, Voysey, Olbrich, Wagner, Lutyens, Sellers, Parker and Unwin, Wilson, Whall, Townsend, Crane,  Wallis, Gilbert, FW Jackson, Madox Brown, Loos, Klimt, Muthesius, Roller, Bohm, Hoffman......

Detail from Saint Martin's Marple design by Henry Wilson (1895)

Buildings

Palais Stoclet, Rochdale Town Hall, Saint Leonard's Middleton, Kartner Bar Vienna, Saint Martin's Marple, Sanatorium Perkersdorf......

Rochdale Town Hall

Literature

Ver Sacrum, Das Englische Haus, Academy Architecture, Moderne Bauformen, The Builders Journal, The Studio, The Hobby Horse .......

Detail from 'The Studio' 1898 showing some of Wood's furniture design

Movements and Organisations

The Secessionists, The Century Guild, Northern Art Workers Guild, Manchester Society of Architects, Birmingham Architectural Association......

Pattern detail by Kolo Moser co-founder of the Secessionists

Events

Century Guild Liverpool 1887, Manchester Royal Jubilee Exhibition 1887, Northern Art Workers Guild Exhibitions, Arts and Crafts Exhibition

Poster for the Northern Artworkers Guild Exhibition

There are so many and the relationships are so complex I have started a mindmap combined with a timeline

Edgar Wood Mindmap - showing relationships and influences

A small part of my Edgar Wood Timeline

With my brain buzzing with movements, people, ideologies and events I felt the urge to go back and photograph the interior of the school buildings attached to the Church. I felt that these buildings (more than the church itself) were in some way more expressive of Wood's development towards his exemplary contribution towards the modern movement.

I am sure that this is well known amongst the archi academics - but I had to somehow learn this for myself.

What has resulted is a series of images which have in turn taught me something about the architecture of Edgar Wood. I chose to display the images in black and white (not my usual choice) because of the advantage of black and white imagery to enhance form and line and reduce the visual impact of contemporary clutter. I wanted to connect with the freshness of the form and space as it would have been seen in 1901.

What I now see in the school buildings at Long Street is the transition between the "decorative sweetness of the C19th and the dry objectivity of the C20th". Here we have a strong influence of Mackintosh (via the European filter of the secessionists?) pared down into an English sensibility. 

Wood is almost unhampered in allowing the plan to dictate the form. It is the roof structure which is holding back the complete transition into unrestrained modernism.

It is wonderful when you witness the moment of an individual's discovery; and I suppose that it is appropriate that within the walls of Wood's unique contribution to architecture that I have had the same revelation.

Exhibiting Edgar Wood

People turning up for the event at Long Street Methodist Church including the Mayor and Mayoress and local Councillors

Last Wednesday Friends of Long Street Methodist Church held an open evening as part of the Heritage Open Days. It coincided with the display of a permanent exhibition of a series of Edgar Wood images, by myself,  supported by Middleton Township within the grade II* listed building.

Three of my images on display inside Wood's iconic building

Alan Gardner from Alan Gardner Associates gave an introductory talk about his ongoing work on providing a conservation based assessment of key Edgar Wood Buildings in the Middleton Conservation Area. On display were rectified images taken of Wood's unique Long Street buildings including Church and former school.

Dr. Archer (right) talks to Alan Gardner (centre)

We were also honoured to have Dr John H. G. Archer attend, who said a few words about his experience of Wood and also complimented the efforts of the people of Middleton in raising the profile of Edgar Wood as architect.

Also on display was English Heritage's Roofs of England exhibition which highlights the importance of vernacular stone slate roofs. Wood's Long Street Methodist Church has over 1500m2 of stone slate roof and is one of the most extensive and complete traditional roofscapes in the area.

English Heritage's Roofs of England Exhibition was well attended

During the weekend I was in attendance talking to newcomers and enthusiasts alike. It was a wonderful opportunity to talk about my photography, the importance of Edgar Wood and his wonderfully unique buildings at Long Street. It was great meeting so many enthusiastic people, including many local Middletonians who either own or owned an Edgar Wood property.

Dr Archer called in again on Sunday and I spent a pleasurable hour talking to him about Edgar Wood and discussing my photographs and the Roofs of England Exhibition.

See the online exhibition here

The Lindley Clock Tower

The Lindley Clock Tower, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

The Lindley Clock Tower near Huddersfield has an eclectic exuberance which cannot be matched in these parts. Designed by Edgar Wood for a local patron it was built in 1901 and comes complete with Gothic Gargoyle's, Pre-Raphaelite Angels and Art Nouveau windows.

Edgar Wood (architect) miniplanet

Edgar Wood (architect) miniplanet, originally uploaded by fotofacade.


See the full exhibition here

Between the 6th and 9th of September 2007 I held an exhibition on Edgar Wood in Middleton at Long Street Methodist Church. Here are the prints from the exhibition which are still available for purchase. All funds go to the Friends of Long Street Methodist Church. For cost and purchase information you can flickr mail me or contact me at enquiries@fotofacade.com.

“There is an individuality about Edgar Wood’s work that represents the unique spirit of Middleton.

His work is rooted in the history, the culture and the buildings of Middleton.

If you look closely at the images in this exhibition, you might notice a dialogue between Wood and the Middleton of his time. A dialogue, which includes form, pattern and decoration, absorbed through his association with other historic buildings such as Saint Leonard’s Parish Church and Hopwood Hall.

Middleton is suffering from an architectural “snow blindness”. This white-out is caused by the fact that we have so many unique and notable buildings.

Edgar Wood’s buildings alone mark out this proud old town as being a little different than others.

How many cities, notwithstanding towns, have the benefit of the unadulterated patronage of an architectural genius – and also reflect the full architectural development of such a genius?

Add to this the remarkable collection of significant other buildings scattered throughout the town, and we have something that can’t and won’t remain unnoticed forever.

It is important therefore for us, as custodians of our historic town, to ensure that Middleton’s importance is recognised beyond its borders, and that we look after our historic built heritage – down to the very last detail.

This exhibition is intended to further this cause, and also to bring attention to the threats and dangers, which are apparent to some of his buildings.

Long Street Methodist Church is one such building, and it needs your support to continue its future as a priceless part of Middleton’s built heritage.

Thanks to the Friends of Long Street Methodist Church for commissioning this work.

This exhibition is dedicated to my Mum and Dad. “

Hidden Gem

Hidden Gem, originally uploaded by fotofacade.

An article I wrote and photographed for Forum Magazine for the Manchester Civic Society (Summer 2004)

Long Street Methodist is a beautiful building by a remarkable architect called Edgar Wood who was an important part of the Art and Craft's movement.

View the images in this article in my Long Street Methodist Set

The Edgar Wood Project on flickr

Edgar Wood on del.icio.us


Friends of Long Street Methodist Church

My Top 10 Most Popular Photos: No 8

THE MEETING PLACE

My Top 10 Most Popular Photos: No. 9

Last Days of the Baptist Church

The Meeting Place

Meeting Room at Temple Street Baptist, Middleton by Edgar Wood just before closure.

Long Street Methodist Slideshow

Long Street Methodist Church, Edgar Wood

I have just introduced a new photoset on my flickr site of Long Street Methodist Church (1901) by architect Edgar Wood. The future of the building is increasingly under threat - more here.

Long Street Methodist Church was originally known as the Wesleyan Chapel and School. It was designed in 1897 and built in 1899-1901.

The church and school are beautiful examples of the Arts and Crafts movement. They have many internal and external features which represent this unique style.

The architect was Edgar Wood who was from Middleton, and is a nationally renowned architect of the Arts and Crafts movement with an ever growing reputation.

THE ARTS AND CRAFTS MOVEMENT

The Arts and Crafts movement started in the second half of the 19th century in England and soon, (through the ideals of returning to traditional methods of craftsmanship and design), was to influence much of the Western world. It was inspired by two great men of the Victorian age, namely John Ruskin (the writer and social commentator) and William Morris (famous for his interior designs).

The Arts and Crafts movement sought to create an idyllic setting which was in opposition to the grim industrialisation of Victorian England. It looked back to the medieval period for its architectural inspiration.

No area of art or design was left untouched by the movement which heavily influenced architecture, furniture, furnishings, and even garden landscaping. Out of the movement sprang original ideas which led to the building of numerous 'garden cities'. It was also to influence the development of other styles such as Art Nouveau and Bauhaus.

In America its most famous advocate was Frank Lloyd Wright who founded the Chigaco Arts and Crafts Society.

Further information about Long Street Methodist Church:-

http://www.fencegate.demon.co.uk/ - local site with much information

Further information on the Arts and Crafts Movement:-

http://www.burrows.com/found.html- with links and bibliography

http://www.morrissociety.org/ - William Morris Society Website

http://www.arts-crafts.com/ - an online resource dedicated to the Arts and Crafts Movement

Edgar Wood - Research and Information

House in Middleton, Lancashire by Edgar Wood 1906

Here's my latest del.icio.us links to everything Edgar Wood (architect). Including what links the artist Stirling Lee with Wood's Long Street Methodist Church and the Lindley Clock Tower.

Also a note from Banniser Fletcher talking of an Olbrich influence on Wood.

Andy Marshall is a professional architectural photographer. Most images can be downloaded 24/7 at Alamy

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Temple Street Baptist Middleton by Edgar Wood

Collection Box with a drawing of Temple Street Baptist Church

Sorry to report that Temple Street Baptist is closing in October after opening its doors in 1889. This is an early building by the Arts and Crafts architect Edgar Wood which has more than a little of the Butterfield influence with its polychromatic facade and eclectic style. Wood said that he drew his inspiration from C13th English (thanks to John Archer).


I have spent the last two afternoons with Cynthia who kindly chaparoned me throughout the building.

Here's my delicious tag for Edgar Wood

Here's a tabblo I made from some of the photo's taken - click on the pic for bigger picture

See my Tabblo>

Oklahoma!

Went again to Manchester this morning to continue photographing the Northern Quarter and later stayed in Oklahoma for a while with a coffee and a toasted sandwich. What is it about this place that I love? It has a great atmosphere, good coffee and food at reasonable prices, considerate staff and one of the most eclectic collections of esoteric giftware on the planet with a record shop and art gallery thrown in. Now theres a recommendation for you...

Finished off back at the Long Street Methodist Church where they are open for Heritage Weekend. Showed a lovely couple around the Edgar Wood (architect) sites of Middleton.

Perfect day!

ARCHIPEDIA - H is for...

Lead Hopper detail at Former Bank by Edgar Wood at Middleton Greater Manchester UK

HOPPER HEAD - Receptacle for egress of water from a roof leading into a pipe, often decorated with pattern, year date or initials. Many survive from the late C17th and C18th.

See all of my hopper head images here