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Congregational Church
South Street, Bacup
In 1828 the
Reverend John Ely of Rochdale came to Bacup in an attempt to
establish a Congregation Church. On discovering that those who had
leanings towards Congregationalism were also part of the Baptist
community at Irwell Terrace it was felt taking these people away
from Irwell Terrace would weaken the church and so the project was
abandoned.
The next attempt
was made in 1846 and was once more postponed. The following year a
third attempt was made and this time it was agreed that if suitable
premises could be found an Independent gathering would be formed,
though this foundered when plans to hire the Lecture Hall in the
Mechanics Institute. were rejected.
On the 7th February
1848 a deputation from the Congregational Union came to Bacup and
after looking at several places acquired the upper room of premises
in Union Street. The first meeting was held on 12th March 1848 and
from the start it was found to be inadequate and that if the cause
was to flourish then suitable premises would have to be built.
The new building in
South Street was commenced in 1850 but shortly before the opening
one of the outside walls collapsed and the entire building had to be
pulled down and rebuilt. The church was finally opened at the end of
November 1851.
The first Minister
of the church was the Reverend William Waite, a young student
straight from college. His ministry was remarkable in that he was
ordained on the 1st June1852, married an the 24th June, preached his
last service on the 4th September and died on 11th September
1852.
In 1854 the Sunday
School was built. This was a single storey building, which could
accommodate 300 scholars |
