There have been several Methodist chapels and churches in Bollington. The individual groups have merged together to leave us with just one church today, in Wellington Road. There have been three Methodist buildings on this one location since 1808.
Wesleyan Methodist Chapel
The first building close to Bollington built for Methodist worship was on Billinge Hill (Rainow), a small chapel which was in use from 1781-1807. It was sold when it became too small.
The first Methodist chapel built in Bollington was opened in 1808 on the site of today's Methodist church in Wellington Road, an area known then as Knowles Green. The ground was provided by Peter Lomas, owner of the nearby Waterhouse Mill. The chapel was also used as a Sunday School for the children until purpose built accommodation was provided close to the later Large Sunday School at the bottom of School Brow.
The opening notice for the first New Chapel shows that the first sermon
was given on 15th May 1808. The small print at the bottom is a classic
of its age! It announces a Silver collection in order to exclude children
and others who weren't sufficiently well off to be expected to help clear
the £500
debt raised to build the chapel and who would otherwise crowd the chapel
from an early hour! It could hardly be more condescending, but they try
- "The
[printed] Hymns and Anthems will be given to the People as they
enter the Chapel." Their italics! |
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This
second, larger, chapel replaced the first on the same
site in 1837. Additional land was provided by the then owner,
Thomas Oliver. The building (architect's drawing left) was,
as one might expect, very plain both inside and out. By 1880
the roof was in need of significant repair and in 1884 it
was decided to replace the entire building with a third church.
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This
picture of the Knowles Green area in Wellington Road is one
of the oldest in the Discovery Centre collection. It would
have been taken in the 1860s, before the railway was built
across the foreground.
In the picture you can see the church with the manse just
to the left of it. The Weslyan Sunday School (today's
Arts Centre) had not yet been built. In the middle distance
the Dog & Partridge Inn stands proud. The light coloured
area behind the Dog is the canal embankment which had been
there less than 40 years at the time of the picture, which
probably explains why the stone looks so pale. |
The present, third, church was designed by William Waddington
of Manchester and opened in 1886. The picture (left) was
taken about 1960 - compare with the 1860s picture above.
New church, same manse. The Weslyan Sunday School is now
in the background. This was completed by 1914.
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The
picture (left) shows the original interior of the present
church. In the 1980s major changes were made to improve its
usefulness. A new floor was built approximately on the line
of the balcony to divide the building horizontally providing
a church on the top floor and offices and function rooms
on the ground floor.
In 2008 the tower spire was completely
rebuilt.
The church is a Grade II listed building.
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After
modification the church hall was decorated in the modern style
providing a bright airy space which is used for a wide variety
of activities. Illustrated is a performance by the Macclesfield
Male Voice Choir. |
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In
May 2008 the Methodist church celebrated 200 years in Bollington.
A history of the church was published - 200 Years
of Bollington Methodism, which is available from
the church and the Discovery
Centre.
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| Picture courtesy of Barbara Whitehurst |
Other Methodist churches
Grimshaw Lane New Connexion Chapel
This was a 'tin tabbernacle' on the corner of Grimshaw Lane
and Rose Bank. I haven't seen any photograph of it but the
Civic Society does have some film shot outside the church
after a ceremony. It was demolished in the 1960s and replaced
by a house.
High Street Primitive Methodist Chapel
This was a huge building in High Street standing where High
Court is today. |
References
The much of the church history on this page has been taken from
Jean Wright's book 200
Years of Bollington Methodism, which is available from
the Methodist Church, and with pictures from the Civic
Society historic picture collection which can be viewed at
the Discovery
Centre.
