Methodist New Connexion Chapel, Queen’s Road, Hurst, Ashton-u-Lyne

John Whittaker II a major contributor to the new chapel. John Whittaker I had given the first Methodist Chapel to the village. The cost of the new chapel was estimated at £1,700 of which £230 had been subscribed by the workpeople at the mill by March 1845

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A METHODIST NEW CONNECTION CHAPEL - On Friday afternoon last, the foundation stone of a new Methodist New Connection chapel to be built at Higher Hurst was laid by John Whittaker Esq in the presence of a vast concourse of persons who had assembled to witness the ceremony. .... the Rev J Hudston, of Ashton, deposited in the cavity of the stone a glass bottle, containing all the coins of the present reign from half a farthing up to half a crown, and also a plan of the Ashton circuit. The plate on the stone bore the following inscription AThe foundation stone of this building, intended for the use of the body of evangelical protestant dissenters, denominated the Methodist New Connection, wherein they may worship God, keep Christ’s ordinances, and preach his holy gospel, was laid by John Whittaker Esq of Higher Hurst (in whose munificence the erection originated) on Good Friday, March 21st 1845, W Hayley Esq, architect; Rev John Hudston, Rev George Hallatt, ministers of the Ashton circuit.@ .......  The site fixed upon by the building committee for the chapel is an eligible plot of land in Queen-street, a new road leading to Messrs Whittakers’ mill in Higher Hurst. The chapel will be built of stone, in the Gothic style, and will be 20 yards long by 13 yards wide, and it is calculated will seat about 500 persons. [Manchester Guardian 26 March 1845 page 6]

Enlarged 1857. Lancets and a turret in the angle to the south transept. In the chapel a monument to John Whittaker I by Foley (1840) - a group of figures, some or all portraits, called Charity. An uncommonly fine tender piece - Pevsner.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 2 November 1844 page 3  - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 16 November 1844 page 2  - contracts
Reference    Manchester Guardian 26 March 1845 page 6 - foundation stone