With the coming of the industrial revolution came a rise in the
population in Bacup. A cluster of houses sprung up at the
bottom of Lane Head Lane which was at this time the
main road to Todmorden and Yorkshire later the area
would become known as Hempsteads. St Johns church
had been built in 1788 prior to this the nearest
established church was St Nicholas at Newchurch
pictured left with no main roads as we know them
today to Burnley or Rochdale a trip to church for a
Baptism, Marriage or Burial meant a whole days trip
overexposed and often harsh Moorlands. A footpath
crossed the hills from Heald, passing Doals, and
through the Broadclough estate. Passing through
Edgeside and Bridleway which bore the name Th' Kirk
Gate. The distance being considerable caused much
inconvenience to parishioners having to carry the dead so
far over irregular and exposed track. The dominating force of
religion in Bacup at this time was the Nonconformists. The
Baptists started about 1700 and the Methodists in 1746 a building had
been built
in the centre of Bacup on the site of the present-day Mechanics Institute about 1692 as a meeting
place for Protestant Dissenters. During the latter part of the 17th century a few protestant
dissenters were to be found in Rossendale.
John Maden a young man from Bacup heard a man named William Darney preach at
Gawksholme and invited him to come a preach in Bacup, Darney agreed and came and preached
at Madens home Heap Barn farm at Sharneyford pictured right. But Darney was not recognised
as a Methodist and as such Maden became the first leader of a religious class in Bacup.The
Methodist doctrines were at variance with the Baptists and there was much contention. Particular
Baptists were strong in Bacup at this time. It was a common occurrence for the preacher of an
evening service to denouncing the preacher of the morning. Since the old meeting house was
shared by the Church of England it must have been very uncomfortable. About 1751 the
Methodists were holding meetings in a cottage on the right-hand side of Lane Head lane. Whilst
the Particular Baptists held meetings in the area of King Street. Between 1820 and 1850 about 18
chapels had been built in Bacup or were being held in houses. Baptists, Methodists,
Congregationalists, Primitive Methodists, and Catholics all began and grew during this period.
All over the townhouses were being opened up for meetings, often it began with someone having
a desire to help children. The education of working-class children being nil. In Bacup the meeting
houses began in places like Earnshaw road, Union street, Irwell Street and Market street. After a
short while the houses became too small and they had to have larger accommodation. As the
industrial revolution flourished and more and more mill hands poured into the area they would join
themselves to one or another place of worship. It wasn't all sweetness and light however ad there
was a fair amount of backsliding as some of the new members were not keen on living a Christian
life. Thorn Wesleyans was built because the small ragged school in Union St began to increase in
numbers as they were unable to get seats at Mount chapel. Another factor was many of those
that attended the ragged school had not the clothing needed to dress appropriately for the other
chapels. Those who could dressed in their Sunday best with clean hands, faces and minds.
churches were now respectable places. Many working-class didn't attend church as they had no
Sunday best clothes and you just didn't go to church in your working clothes. It was not until 1882
when the Salvation Army appeared that the poorer working person could attend religious service
without having to worry about their dress.
© bacuptimes.co.uk 2004
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