These are the Baptists.  There are four or five chapels set apart for their improvement in Preston, and the smartest of these is in Fishergate.  In Leeming-street it was in the chrysalis state; in Fishergate the butterfly epoch has been reached.  A dull, forlorn looking edifice, afterwards taken advantage of by the Episcopalian party, and now cleared off to make way for St. Saviour’s church, once formed the sacred asylum of a portion of the Baptists; but a desire for better accomodation, combined with a wish for more fashionable quarters, induced a change.  The dove was repeatedly sent out, and dry land was finally found for the Baptists in Fishergate.  In 1858 a chapel was erected upon the spot, and thus far it has steadfastly maintained its position.  It is a handsome building, creditable to both the architect and the congregation, and if its tower were less top heavy, it would, in its way, be quite superb.  We never look at that solemn tower head without being reminded of some immense quadrangular pepper castor, fit for a place in the kitchen of the Titans.  In every other respect the building is arranged smartly; if anything it is too ornamental, and in making a general survey one is nearly afraid of meeting with Panathenaic frieze work.  On the principle that you can’t have the services of a good piper without paying proportionately dear for them, so you can’t obtain a handsome chapel except by confronting a long bill.  The elysium of antipedobaptism in Fishergate cost the modest sum of 5,000 pounds, and of that amount about 800 pounds remains to be paid.  Considering the greatness of the original sum, the debt is not very large; but if it were less the congregation would be none the worse; and if it didn’t exist at all they would be somewhat nearer bliss in this general vale of tears.  Fishergate Baptist Chapel is the only Dissenting place of worship in the town possessing an exterior clock; and it is one of the most orderly articles in the town, for it never strikes and has not for many months shown itself after dark.  It used to exhibit signs of activity after sunset; but it was, considered a “burning shame” by some economists to light it up with gas when the Town Hall clock was got into working order, and ever since then it has been nightly kept in the dark.

Fishergate Baptist Chapel has an excellent interior, and it will accommodate about twice as many people as patronise it.  Long stately side lights, neatly embellised with stained glass and opaque filigree work, give it a mild solemnity which is relieved by fine circular windows occupying the gables.  The seats are arranged in the usual three-row style, and there is a touch of neat gentility about them indicative of good construction, whatever the parties they have been made for are like.  Fashionably-conceived gas-stands shoot up and spread their branches at intervals down the chapel; and at the extreme end there is a broad gallery, set apart for the singers, who need