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.
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 This second, larger, chapel replaced the first in 1837. Additional land was provided by the then owner, Thomas Oliver. The building 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 new church.
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 The new church was designed by William Waddington of Manchester and opened in 1886. In 2008 the Methodist church has celebrated 200 years in Bollington.
In the 1980s major changes were made to the church to improve its usefulness. A new floor was built to divide the building providing a church on the top floor and offices and function rooms on the ground floor. In 2008 the tower spire has been completely rebuilt.
The church is a Grade II listed building.
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2008 celebration events
During 2008 a number of events have marked the 200th year of Methodism in Bollington.
A history of the church has been published - 200 Years of Bollington Methodism, available from the church and the Discovery Centre.
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References
The substance of 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.
