In light of recent developments concerning the Redearth Primitive Methodist Graveyard, of which we have been fully informed about throughout, we feel we should now re-instigate our campaign to save the gravestone/s that have been uncovered.
We are aware of the sensitive nature of the site and feel it is being dealt with in accordance with proper procedures.
However our original opinion concerning the gravestone/s is our primary goal and we shall endeavour to create a memorial to those formerly interred within the graveyard, along with reinstating the gravestone/s within the new academy grounds.
We would discourage anyone from visiting the site, either out of curiosity or historical interest, to enable the archaeologists to continue their work swiftly and in the appropriate manner.
DLHS Committee.
History.
Primitive Methodism has its roots in the Wesleyan Movement founded by John Wesley (1703-91) the movement instigated many new chapels being built across the country throughout the late 17th and early 18th centuries, however there were many division within it and one of the first splits came in 1797, led by Alexander Kilham (1762-98) who formed the ‘ Methodist New Connection’ known as the Kilhamites.
Wesleyan Methodist had a strong following in Darwen, possibly owing to the fact that John Wesley preached at Lower Darwen in May 1759. He also lodged at 137 Sough Brow in 1790 and at Kebbs Cottage when he preached in Darwen and whilst doing his circuit.
Many sermons were held in the open air, on The Green, where there was a stone, which they stood on. The conformed ‘darreners’ established a room in Wellington Fold, and then later moved to the building in Water Street. It is within these rooms that the ‘Darwen’ Methodism was founded and where the famous ‘prize fighter’ Burgoin Fish was converted, one of their strongest persecutors. From Water Street the Wesleyan Methodist moved to Back Lane in 1790, with the front of their ‘Centenary Chapel’ facing Belgrave Square. It is claimed that John Wesley visited the chapel in his 86th yr.
There were much secession throughout its establishment and the Darwen Methodist Movement was no exception to these divisions.
In 1811 Primitive Methodism was founded by Hugh Bourne (1772-1852) and William Clowes (1780-1851), the ‘Primitive Methodist’s were noted for its employment of women preachers and was purported to be a more democratic movement.
Due to these divisions the Darwen Primitive Methodist (under the Bolton Circuit) were founded in the former Methodist Rooms, in what were also known as ‘The Old Smugglers Room’ situated in Water Street, one of Darwen’s notorious slum areas.
These premises eventually proved to be too small and in 1830, it was decided to establish more permanent premises on Redearth Rd. A board of trustees was formed consisting of;
Robert Cross, Shoemaker. Henry Livesey, Farmer.
George Duckworth, Weaver. Henry Green, Weaver.
Joseph Storey, Tailor. John Noble, Block-cutter.
Samuel Tillotson, Minister. Mark Townley, Weaver.
William Marsden, Crofter. Thomas Ward, Pavior.
Miles Law, Farmer. Rothwell Rothwell, Hairdresser.
Many members of the church contributed to the building of the church by way of carrying stone and they were provided with bread, cheese and 7s. 8d. was spent on ale, bought from the Millstone Hotel.
The building of Redearth was not without its problems, mainly monetary, and its progress was slow giving it the nickname of ‘Standstill Chapel’ however it was eventually opened on Thursday, 2nd of August 1832, with sermons from Rev. J. Hague, Rev. S. Nichols and on the first Sunday the sermon was given by Samuel Tillotson.
In 1845, a schoolroom was added alongside the chapel under the supervision of Rev. J. Garner and later supported by Thomas Leach and Timothy Kay.
Redearth Road Primitive Methodist Chapel congregation continued grow and in April 1875, the foundations for a new Chapel at Redearth, this coincided with an epidemic fever which spread throughout Darwen and stretched the church funds considerably, to the extent of the new chapel being nicknamed after its earlier ‘Standstill’ one.
The new chapel with school rooms was opened on Good Friday 1878, seating 720 worshippers at a cost of £4,000. £1,300 was collected at the opening service.
The Chapel was used for various functions over the years and had its own Band of Hope (anti-alcohol) separate class meetings for men and women and several recreation classes (sewing, literature etc) it was also known for having the largest branch of the anti-cigarette league in the North of England.
In the mid 1960’s mother nature dealt a blow to the congregation of Redearth Chapel, with flooding damaging its foundations, the Chapel had to be demolished.
Many of the gravestones were swept down the hill during the flooding and highlights the force of the deluge on Saturday July 18, 1964, in Cross St, Hannah St and the surrounding areas of the Redearth district many people were made homeless and in aptly named Watery Lane the occupants of a cottage had to be rescued by ladder from the back bedroom as muddy water ploughed into their home and bringing down part of one unoccupied cottage.
It has been reputed that when the foundations for the building of Sainsbury’s were dug, the workmen were constantly coming across large pieces of gravestones that were washed down from Redearth.
There were 316 internments throughout the history of the chapel.
The last known Gravestone from the site has now been removed to a safe location.
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