The former Primitive Methodist Sunday School on Dolcliffe Road in Mexborough was bought by Michael Walters in the late 60’s for conversion to a photographic studio.
Michael had spent some time looking at studios in Sweden and the conversions to the building were based on Scandinavian design.
The former Sunday school was extensively modified (originally the pitched roof was to be maintained) and the plaque subsequently covered by the slate cladding during the conversions).
Michael based his photographic company from Dolcliffe road for some thirty years until his retirement due to ill health.
Due to the design of the building, the company was able to produce photographs for many local manufacturers such as MFI and Crosby Kitchens, Morphy Richards and Trianco Redfire.
After their acquisition by Johnson Press, The South Yorkshire Times occupied half of the Studio, which was re-named Timeshouse. They operated from Timeshouse for a further thirteen years until moving to their current High Street location.
The building stayed in the Walters family until 2005 when the building was sold to the Mexborough Community Partnership.
The Sunday school in its original state was featured in the book Industrial South Yorkshire in Pictures, by Paul Walters and Giles Brearly (published in 1997 by Wharncliffe publishing).
The plaque can be clearly seen on the front of the building before the conversions took place.