Edenfield Primitive Methodist Chapel 1841

Edenfield lies on the river Irwell about 1¼ miles NNE of Ramsbottom and about 5 miles north of Bury.

Early 1820s(?):  The society first came together.

1841:  The chapel date stone is dated 1841 (see above) but according to the 1851 Census Return (above), this chapel was built in 1842 with seating for 254.  It is labelled ‘Primitive Methodist Ch.’ on the 1844-8 6” OS map; if the chapel is the L-shaped building just under the final ‘t’ of Methodist then it scales at about 30 feet x 20 feet – pretty small for 254 people!

1851:  The 1851 Census Return was made by Richard Mason, Steward.

1858:  The first mention of the chapel in the Bury Times was on 7 August 1858 with a report on two sermons preached on behalf of the Primitive Methodist Sunday-school.

1861:  The Bury Times reported on 8 June:

Camp Meeting at Irwell Vale. – On Sunday last, very interesting out-door services were conducted by the Primitive Methodist Societies of Irwell Vale, Ramsbottom, Edenfield, and Summerseat, in a field near Alderbottom [just over ½ mile west of Edenfield].  The attendance was good considering the state of the weather, and no doubt the attendance would have been very large had the day been fine.’

1867:  The chapel is listed in the 1867 List of Places for Public Religious Worship, Lancashire No. 39 in the Registration District of Haslingden.

1882:  The new Edenfield Rochdale Road PM chapel was opened so presumably the Exchange Street chapel was then vacated.

By the time of the 1891 25” OS map, the site of the chapel was empty.  It now forms part of the recreation ground, a short way west of no. 22 Exchange Street, BL0 0LA.