Crooke Primitive Methodist Chapel, Lancashire.

The Chapel was erected in 1867 and enlarged in 1890.

The village of Crooke is near the town of Shevington in the County of Lancashire. Its roots go back to the fourteenth century when it was called ‘Le Croke’, this means a ‘bend in the river’. The river here being the River Douglas.

There was a Primitive Methodist society of 12 here in 1864. There was no chapel so this small group of people met in a cottage in Woodcock Row. This has now been demolished. Although small, the group were very active and by March 1867 they had purchased a piece of land. One of the conditions of the purchase was that they were not allowed to build a school as the Church of England already had one in the village. They lost no time in building a chapel and by September of that year had organised three opening services. Before this chapel was built a house in the village had been converted into a Wesleyan Chapel, it was one of twenty houses built by Thomas Woosnam. It was known as ‘The Cathedral’. It closed in 1895 due to overcrowding and the society joined with the Primitive congregation.

Three stories related to this area. There was a preacher called Bastow who dared to preach in the market place in Wigan. He was put in prison for his preaching.

In nearby Standish, the Parish Church bellringers were paid 2 shillings & 6 pence (approx. 12 new metric pence) to break up a Methodist meeting in the hope that it would drive the Methodists from the village!!

The chapel at Crooke collected water from the roof into a tank. This water was sufficient for the needs of the chapel and so they refused to pay a water rate bill. Bailiffs were called in and took away a fireside chair belonging to the Trustees. The older members immediately snatched it back!

The chapel at Crooke is brick built and it sits overlooking the village-green. It had seating for 160 in pews, one hall and one other room. In May 1998 the hall was refurbished and it was named the Church Hall.

In 2022 the chapel is still open for worship although the congregation is small.

OS Map ref;108:SD553074

Acknowledgement to Maurice Allen ‘A History of Shevington Parish Council.