Primitive Methodist Church, Alma Street, Atherton

A new Primitive Methodist church is to be erected in Alma-street, Atherton. The estimated cost of the structure is £2,000 and accommodation will be found for 700 worshippers in addition to which there will be four vestries to be utilised for Sunday school work. The plans have been designed by Mr. John B. Thornley of Darwen. The existing building was erected in 1886 and extended in 1891 and 1896, but the accommodation is now altogether too small. [Manchester Courier - Friday 23 February 1900 page 9]

Primitive Methodist Bazaar at Atherton - A three days' sale of work to raise funds for the new chapel which is now in course of erection in Alma Street was held at the Atherton Primitive Chapel on Wednesday afternoon and continues unto Saturday. The new chapel will cost for the building and furnishing about £2000. Towards this £500 has been raised, and it is hoped to raise £1,000 by the time the building is opened in August. Mr. Jas. Cocker. of Walkden. is the builder; and Mr. Thornley, of Darwen and Wigan, the architect. [Leigh Chronicle 18 March 1910 page 4]

In 1900 ambitious plans were announced for a new Primitive Methodist church is to be erected in Alma Street at an estimated cost of £2,000.  Accommodation was to be provided for 700 worshippers in addition to which there were four vestries for Sunday school work. The plans were prepared by John B. Thornley of Darwen. However, these ideas remained dormant until 1909 when the District Council approved plans submitted by Messrs Thornley, architects, Wigan on 24 September. By March 1910 the new chapel was under construction with its opening on 3 August 1910. 

The first Primitive Methodist School-Chapel was built in 1886 in Alma Road, Atherton close to the junction with Mealhouse Lane. The foundation stone set in the external wall of the building indicates that it was laid by Councillor J Barrett of Bolton on 28 August 1886: Rev W Harris, Minister. It was extended in 1891 and again in 1896 and provided accommodation for 250 in 1890. It is probable that from the outset the congregation had ideas of building a new and much larger chapel on the adjoined land when funds allowed. The 1896 extension containing vestries was intended to be the first phase of this new chapel. On completion of the new chapel in 1910 the building was converted into a Sunday School. This building was acquired by the Evangelical Church and reverted to its original use. The building is existent. 

NOTE    The Mission Hall in Mealhouse Lane, Atherton, opened on Good Fr4iday 1877. It was described as non-sectarian and conducted strictly on temperance principles. No evidence has been found to link it with the Primitive Methodists. [Leigh Guardian 7 April 1877 page 5]

Reference    Manchester Courier - Friday 23 February 1900 page 9
Reference    Leigh Chronicle 24 September 1909 page 6 – plans approved
Reference    Leigh Chronicle 1910 18 March 1910 page 4 – chapel under construction
Reference     Leigh Chronicle 22 July 1910 page 1 – notice of opening
Reference    Bolton Journal 5 August 1910 page 7 - opening