 The old chapel, built in 1827, next to the Trevor Arms on Beech Road. Now used as a furniture store by M.E.Coupe Ltd. It has survived though reduced in height - there used to be upper floor windows. The earlier structure was nearer to the road in front of this building. |
Methodism appears to have been
introduced into this village at an early date. It is said
to have been introduced by a Methodist soldier in 1770,
who came to Manchester with a few friends, and who,
dressed in his uniform, preached on the village green. In
1800, class meetings were established in Chorlton, before
which time services were held at a thatched cottage
inhabited by John Johnson, behind the present National
School, and in a barn at present occupied by Mrs.
Higginbotham. The first chapel was erected in 1805. It
was a small square building, in which the women sat on
one side and the men on the other. This gave place to a
larger structure (now used as a Sunday School) in 1827,
built at a cost of £690. The present chapel was erected
eight years ago at a cost of £5,600. The Sunday school
was opened in 1805, there being no other in the village
at that time. It is worthy of mention that the early race
of Methodists in Chorlton, before they had a chapel of
their own, used to attend the early service at Oldham
Street, which began at seven a.m., on the Sunday. Amongst
them was Jermiah Brundrett, the grandfather of the
present race of Brundretts, which includes the wife of
our friend Mr. John Rowbotham, lately the valued
committee clerk of the Corporation. |
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| Reminiscences of
Manchester Fifty Years Ago J.T. Slugg FRAS Published Manchester and London 1881 |