Robert Curwen ARIBA Architect

[Chris Pickford]

In reply to Jeff's private message - I'm a newbie and can't see (in a hurry, anyway!) - how to reply. The Bobbington chapel is a small affair (recently closed) so I was surprised to find that it was designed by an architect specialising in Wesleyan chapels. The source is this:
Laying of foundation stone of new Wesleyan Chapel (in Stourbridge circuit) reported in County Advertiser, 26 July 1884 - Mr. Curwen of Liverpool and London, architect. Mr. D. Evans of Wolverhampton, contractor. Red brick with appropriate dressings. Early English style. To be opened in October. Cost will be about £420. To accommodate 100 persons. There will be vestry, school room (for 60 children) and classroom all under the same, roof. Site given by Thos Baddiley Bowen, formerly of Blakelands
It's at Gospel Ash, about a mile east of Bobbington village. Easy to find and see on Google Streetview. I'm helping revise the Staffordshire "Pevsner" guide - hence my interest.
Chris

[radstockjeff]

Thanks Chris. That's very helpful. I wonder what local connections Robert Curwen had or was it his reputation in Wesleyan Circles...i.e his training in Liverpool with C.O. Ellison who had a large Wesleyen practice.

[radstockjeff]

The Curwen family moved from Fleetwood sometime between 1851 and 1861. The Census for 1861 shows them living in Sewells? Road, Bebington ,Tranmere. I cannot find Sewells Road on any recent map, but the successive entries in the Schedule look to be Tranmere Park, Park Villas, Embleton Villas , Rose Villa Sewells Road, Church Road.
Any thoughts please?

[radstockjeff]

Robert Curwen had links with the well known Wesleyan Preacher Revd. W Morley Punshon who was buried in West Norwood Cemetery London. His grave is surmounted by an elegant High Victorian miniature chapel, carved in york Stone by J Rogerson of Liverpool, but unfortunately there is no indication as to the designer of the memorial.
Is it possible that it could have been Robert Curwen who was well versed in Gothic Revival architecture?
Are there any records of the work of J Rogerson? Is the company still in existence?
I surmise there might be a connection between Curwen, Punshon and Rogerson based  on the Liverpool link, which is where Curwen was first articled as an architect.

[radstockjeff]

Does anyone have access to any photographs of the Punshon Memorial Methodist Church in Bournemouth, designed by Robert Curwen but which was severely damaged during WW2 leading to its demolition? I have tried the obvious sources without luck.

[arthurk]

There's a set of photos here:

https://www.flickriver.com/photos/alwyn_ladell/sets/72157624324784276/

[radstockjeff]

Thanks Arthurk. Lots of interesting stuff. Will be helpful in my task.