Places of Worship in Chisworth with Ludworth
Mill Brow Independent Chapel.
Included here because of its use by many Chisworth and Ludworth families in bygone times when it was the closest place of worship available (Marple Bridge was in Derbyshire at that time, of course).
The chapel is thought to have been founded in 1662 as a result of the passing of the Act of Uniformity. The chapel meetings were held in two old buildings at Mill Brow, near Mellor, until 1787 when a new chapel was erected in Town Street, Marple Bridge. The premises were greatly improved and enlarged after the Rev. Robert Kirkus became pastor in April, 1838. The late Moses Hadfield, of Mottram, bequeathed by his will (1844) the sum of £300, as an endowment on the chapel. The Congregational Chapel congregation meeting transferred in 1887 to Hollins Lane and later became Marple Bridge United Reformed Church.
Chisworth Methodist Chapel.
The building of the chapel was a community effort. Some of the colliers, after their day’s work, dug out the foundations, while the farmers, with their teams, carted the materials. The people were so anxious to open the chapel that they did not wait until it was finished. There was only the shell of the building with no pews nor windows and no plaster on the walls. White calico blinds were hung up to protect the congregation from the drafts from the window openings. The chapel was opened in 1833, the Rev. George Marsden being the officiating minister. Jubilee services were held on November 2nd 1884 and the building continued in use until a closing service was held on 9th March 1890. It had been the intention of the Trustees to renovate the old Chapel by elevating the roof, putting in new windows and repairing the interior. When taking off the roof the walls were found to be in such bad condition as to necessitate the pulling down of the entire structure and rebuilding from the foundations, involving an outlay of £800. The contractors were Messrs. W. H. Bowden, Glossop and Mr. Charles Thatcher, Mottram. The foundation stones were laid on 3rd May 1890 by Mr. James Rowbottom Esq., Alderman S. Rowbottom J.P., Mr. James Clayton and Mr. George Cooper. The new chapel opened on November 23rd 1890. The centenary of the Chapel was celebrated in May 1934 and a procession was led by Tintwistle Band.
The chapel is host to Chisworth Village war memorial.
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Last updated: 12 December 2021