Channing Hall - A Brief History

William Ellery Channing (1780 - 1842)

Channing Hall, on Surrey Street was designed by Sheffield Architects Flockton and Gibbs and built in 1881 for 'religious, educational and social purposes'.  It was completed in 1882.  It is Grade II Listed.

The Hall was named after the 19th Century American Unitarian Minister Dr. William Ellery Channing, whose nephew, William Henry Channing served as minister at the linked Upper Chapel (Unitarian) in 1875.

The interior is in the Italianate style with glazed tile walls and an open timber roof.  Access is by a spiral staircase although a lift has been installed in recent years.

The foundation stone was laid by Margaret Jessop, daughter of Thomas Jessop, Trustee of Upper Chapel and founder of Sheffield's Jessop Hospital For Women.  Thomas Jessop served as Mayor of Sheffield (1863-64) overseeing relief following the Great Sheffield Flood of 1864.  He also served as Master Cutler (1863).