When they first ventured in to Bacup the Wesleyan Methodist Association held its early meetings in a room over a shop occupied by Mr. David Baron in Union Street.

Firstly they used it as a Mission School, then in November 1836 opened it up for public worship. The membership soon outgrew these premises and plans were put in place to build a new church beside the River Irwell on the Burnley Road. The church, which became known as "Waterside", was opened on 25th November 1838 at a cost of £1400. This church served well until becoming to small by the 1880s which was demonstrated by the 50th anniversary celebration having to be held in the Zion School and the Co-operative Hall. A new church building was started at the side of the old one, with the foundation stones being laid in 1897.

The new church was opened in November 1898 at a cost of £5370. The new church was a Free Methodist Church and later by the time of the Methodist Union in 1932 it was a United Methodist. With the closure of Heald Methodist at Weir, Wesley Place, Thorn and Mount Pleasant the congregations amalgamated and the church was renamed Central Methodist.