Primitive Methodist Chapel and Schools, Shore, near Littleborough

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF A NEW CHAPEL AT SHORE - On Saturday afternoon the foundation stone of the Primitive Methodist New Chapel at Shore was laid by Mr John Higginbottom of Rochdale in the presence of a goodly concourse of spectators. It is now upwards of 16 years since the Primitive Methodists succeeded in establishing a church at Shore. They had made an attempt to do so previously, but from one course or another it had failed. They have now, however a church numbering 49 members and a flourishing Sunday school. Up to the present divine service has been conducted in a room suitably fitted up for the purpose but the scholars having become sufficiently numerous to crowd it, the accommodation for adults desirous of attending the service has been limited.

The new chapel will stand on an elevated site of land measuring 30 (sic) square yards which has been rented from the executors of the late Joseph Schofield Esq. It will be a stone building 13 yards long by 11 yards wide. The bottom will be used as a school, etc. and there will be a gallery on three sides with sittings for about 120 persons. The stone will be obtained from the quarries which abound in the neighbourhood. The cost of the chapel will be about £700. Messrs Russell and Whittaker of Rochdale are the architects, Messrs J. and J. Garside the contractors for the mason’s work and Mr England is the contractor for the joiner’s work. [Rochdale Observer Saturday 2 June 1866 page 4]

Opening      26 May 1867
Reference    Rochdale Observer Saturday 2 June 1866 page 4 – foundation stone
Reference    Rochdale Observer Saturday 25 May 1867 page 1 – opening services announced