The Bagnall's of Wakefield

Saint Andrew's Hall

St Andrew's Hall, Wakefield

A building on Upper Warrengate, Wakefield - later a carpet showroom, now a FreshCo supermarket - carries the name "St Andrew's Hall" and was clearly once a church hall. Four foundation stones on it are all dated 2nd September 1905, laid by the Mayor of Wakefield (H. Slade Childe, Esq.), a vicar (Rev. A. G. Whaley, in the 21st year of his vicariate), the Rev. W. Rigby Jubb (late vicar of Dunchurch), and a Miss Lily Bolland.

This is just up and across the road from St Andrew's Church, so almost certainly is that parish's hall.

I suspect this may be a Bagnall Bros. building: the date (1905) fits squarely within their known building years, the family lived and worked in Wakefield throughout this period, and the style and brickwork look consistent with their other work. But I have no direct evidence - no name on the foundation stones, no trade directory or newspaper mention I've found linking them to it. If anyone recognises this building, knows who built it, or can confirm or rule out a Bagnall connection, I'd love to hear from you - please get in touch.

Foundation stone laid by the Mayor of Wakefield, 1905 Foundation stone laid by Rev. A.G. Whaley, 1905 Foundation stone laid by Rev. W. Rigby Jubb, 1905 Foundation stone laid by Miss Lily Bolland, 1905