|
The
remains of the original church at Rodwell End in 1950. Photo
by kind permission of Roger Birch |
This
is the oldest of the Baptist Churches, being able to trace
its origins to the year 1717, when it was founded at Rodwell
End. Up on the hillside to the left of the road from Todmorden
to Halifax, it was used until 1783 after which it was rebuilt
as a Methodist Church. It is believed that it is now incorporated
into farm buildings and used as a barn or for storage. |
| In
the years after 1783, the members at Rodwell End joined with
other non-conformists/dissenters, but built a new chapel at
Millwood in 1808. Although consisting of only two rooms, this
building was a hive of activity every day of the week. These
were golden years for attendance at chapels, which also hosted
flourishing Sunday Schools and social activities. |
| In
1877, the Church moved from Millwood to Roomfield, closer
to the centre of Todmorden, and the new building was much
larger and more imposing with room for 750 worshippers. The
Sunday School had 450 members in the years leading up to the
Great War but after the war shared the decline in attendance
which affected all Churches. |
photo
by kind permission of Frank Woolrych |
|
Taken
in 2005 |
Ministries
were shared with other chapels and the building itself was
demolished following the discovery of dry rot in 1953, the
schoolroom building following for the same reason in 1959.
Services and other activities continued to be held along with
the Methodists in the Central Methodist Church, but the members
were able to open the new, much smaller Roomfield chapel
in 1962. |
|
Deeds
The following deeds relating to Roomfield Chapel are held in the West Riding Registry of Deeds.
The reference number is shown alongside the details. For further
information on the registry, see
http://www.archives.wyjs.org.uk/rodab.html
The information
was kindly researched and supplied by Alan Longbottom to whom
we are very grateful.
1888
Todmorden
Particular Baptists Connexion 1888 019 546 311
Memorial
of Indenture Registered at Wakefield 6th July 1888 dated 25th
June 1888
- John Greenwood of Burnley
in the county of Lancaster corn merchant
of
the 1st part.
- John Knowles of Red Lees
near Burnley esquire Barrister at Law
of
the 2nd part
all
of the 3rd part Being trustees of the Particular Baptist Connexion
Todmorden aforesaid.
All
that plot of freehold land situate in Langfield in the Parish
of Halifax containing by admeasurement 1,493 square yards
or thereabouts, being part and parcel of lands and hereditaments
by th Will of John Knowles deceased authorised to be leased
for building purposes and which piece of land is part of a
close of land there called Roomfield, part of Roomfield Estate,
and which piece of land is bounded on or towards the north
by the River Calder, measuring on that side 17 feet 6 inches,
on or towards the south by the Turnpike Road leading from
Todmorden to Halifax, measuring on that side 80 feet, on or
towards the east by land late belonging to Mr. Ramsbottom,
measuring on that side 311 feet, and on or towards the west
by an intended street measuring on that side 308 feet 6 inches,
and which piece of land is more particularly delineated by
the plan drawn in the margin of an Indenture of Lease dated
the 7 th June 1877 and made between:
- John Greenwood and Hiram
Uttley
of
the 1st part
of the 2nd
part
- Abraham Tilling,
- William Clayton,
- James Chambers,
- Ellis Newell,
- Thomas Sutcliffe,
- John Tilling,
- John Greenwood,
- William Sutcliffe,
- James Barnes,
- John Fawcett,
- James Maude,
- William Henry Clay,
- William Ingham,
- Thomas Foulds,
- William Sutcliffe,
- John Ashworth Lord
all
of the 3rd part
Being
in such Plan circumscribed with a Red border, and all that
the yearly rent of 49 pounds, 15 shillings and 4 pence reserved
by such Indenture.
Witnesses
- D.T. Cruickshank, Captain Essex Regiment and Jonathan Pilkington
of Burnley clerk to Messrs Artindale and Artindale solicitors
of Burnley.
**
BACK
TO TOP |
