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BRIDGE STREET UNITED FREE METHODIST CHAPEL TODMORDEN

   
This church was established in 1837 when a break away group from the Wesleyan York Street Chapel congregation formed its own Society as part of the United Free Methodists. Initially, they continued to meet in the York Street Sunday school before moving to the Mechanics Institute until the new chapel was ready for occupation in 1838.
   

photo by kind permission of

Frank Woolrych

This building was demolished in 1873 and immediately a foundation stone was laid at a new site on 2nd August 1873. The new building was dubbed the "Cathedral of Methodism", costing a massive £14,000 and seating 2000 people.

The chapel trustees were soon in bother as in February 1874 they were fined £700 plus costs following an action brought by occupiers of neighbouring properties in Brook Street who complained of loss of light. The case was heard at the Vice Chancellor Mallin's Court in London.

   

The Methodist Societies had a strong tradition of using Lay Preachers and for giving them considerable powers. Bridge Street was no different, and they engaged John Sunderland of Knowlwood to be such a preacher. He was one of their leading members. About 1840 on a Saturday evening, John was walking past Sutcliffe Buildings in the town when he spied a pair of shoes outside the house of Major Rothwell. He stole the shoes and foolishly wore them the following morning for his service at the chapel. Unbeknown to John, the town constable was in the chapel. He waited for John to finish preaching and then apprehended him and took him and the shoes off to the local lock-up. John was tried, found guilty, and sent to prison. Despite being a married man, that was the last Todmorden ever saw of him.

photo by kind permission of Frank Woolrych

   

When the old Wesleyan Chapel on York Street closed its doors in 1942, the two churches amalgamated at Bridge Street, and this lasted for the next 20 years. The "Cathedral of Methodism" at Bridge Street closed its doors in 1962 and the congregation moved to the Wesleyan Sunday School that was built in 1906 by the York Street Chapel congregation. The school was re-named as the Central Methodist Church and still operates today.

   

The old Bridge Street Chapel building sold at auction in 1962 for £19,000, and was demolished on 6th August 1965 and the site occupied by a supermarket and shops.

The church was licensed for marriages. There is no burial ground.

Deeds

The following deeds relating to Wellington Road 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.

1863

Todmorden Bridge St. Association Chapel   1866 ZF 482 542

Memorial of an Indenture Registered at Wakefield 3rd October 1866 dated 6th November 1863 - Between:

 

  • John Blackburn of York Street in that part of Todmorden which is situate in the Township of Langfield in the Parish of Halifax grocer

 

of the one part  

  • William Thompson of Wakefield - corn miller
  • John Smith of Todmorden - gentleman
  • Edmund Whitaker of Sandholme in Langfield - sizer and manufacturer
  • Thomas Sutcliffe Law of Dobroyd near Todmorden bookkeeper
  • Abraham Webster of Oldshop in Langfield - upholsterer
  • William Sutcliffe of Victoria Road in Stansfield - cotton manufacturer
  • Alfred Cockcroft of Shade near Todmorden bookkeeper
  • John Clegg of Dobroyd aforesaid - overlooker in a factory
  • William Ingham of Mankinholes in Langfield - gentleman
  • William Slater of Hebble End near Hebden Bridge - cotton spinner
  • Richard Smith of Bacup in count Lancaster - rope and twine maker
  • James Dawson of Wadsworth Mill near Todmorden - grocer
  • George Hudson of Honey Hole in Langfield - factory operative

 

all of the other part and thereinafter designated "Trustees"

 

Of and concerning all that plot or parcel of land situate in Stansfield aforesaid, then late part of a close called Crow Carr Ings, which said plot of land extended on the north-westerly side 24 feet, and was bounded on that side by a road or street called Wellington Road, on the south-easterly side 24 feet and was bounded on that side by a street there 22 feet wide called Eagle Street, on the north-easterly side 60 feet 3 inches, and was bounded on that side by a street there called White Platts Street and on the south-westerly side 60 feet 8 inches, and was bounded on that side by other land then belonging to the parties of the 1st and 2nd parts to the Indenture of Lease thereof dated the 28th December 1861 and made between John Stansfield, Edward Lord, and Charles Chambers and Richard Chambers therein described of the 1st part, John Stansfield, John Bentley, and Wright Chaffer described of the 2nd part, and John Blackburn of the 3rd part and contained in the whole 161 superficial square yards of land or thereabouts were the same more or less and was more particularly shewn on the plan thereof indorsed on the said Indenture of lease and thereon coloured pink.

And also the dwellinghouse and buildings then erected or which might be at any time thereafter be erected and built upon the said plot of land and thereby demised or nay part thereof and also free license, liberty and right of way for the said Trustees and the survivors and survivor of them their or his assigns or any of them and for their or his servants, workmen, families, and friends or any of them for all purposes and on all occasions through, along, and over Wellington Road aforesaid, and the said street called Eagle Sreet, and White Platts Street respectively and which streets were always to be appropriated as such and to be at least of the width shewn in the said Plan, and also over all extensions of the said streets and over Vale Street, and Stansfield Road, from the said Turnpike Road, and also liberty, right, and power to insert one service pipe of half an inch in diameter into a certain pipe of three inches diameter then laid along Eagle Street aforesaid, unto the said plot from a lodge in a certain close called White Platts, with branches therefrom and taps thereto, each not exceeding half an inch in diameter, and thereby from time to time and at all times subject as thereinafter mentioned to convey water from such main pipe unto and into the said plot of land thereby demised and the buildings to be erected thereon or on any part thereof, for the purpose of supplying the occupiers thereof with water for ordinary household domestic purposes only, such liberty to be without prejudice, and in common with the right of James Taylor and James Stansfield esquire, (the original lessors, their lessees and assigns) and such right of road to be without prejudice also the rights of the said parties to the said Indenture of Lease of the 1st and 2nd parts, their executors, administrators and assigns, and all other persons who were then entitled or thereafter should or might be entitled or empowered to insert service pipes unto the said main pipe or any other main pipe within the estate of the original lessors for supplying water to any other hereditaments and the said rights of road and street to be without prejudice to the right of the said parties to the said Indenture of Lease of the 1st and 2nd parts their executors, administrators and assigns, and of the said original lessors their heirs and assigns, from time to time to lay down and afterwards to take up, repair, and relay when necessary and to examine any pipes, drains or sewers in the said streets, and also liberty right and power under the direction of the said parties to the said Indenture of Lease of the 1st and 2nd parts, and of the said original lessors and of their surveyors to make looses, sewers or drains from the said plot of land and buildings thereby demised into the main loose already made along Eagle Street and to repair, open and cleanse such service pipe, looses, sewers or drains when and as occasion should require. Together with the appurtenances to the said plot of land belonging, excepting and reserving thereout unto the said parties of the said Indenture of Lease of the 1st and 2nd parts their executors, administrators or assigns, and also the said original lessors their heirs and assigns, free passage of water through the drains, channels, and sewers already made and then existing in the said steets respectively and also the free passage for all purposes through along and over the several causeways thereinafter mentioned adjoining the plot of land and also reserving unto the said parties to the said Indenture of Lease of the 1st and 2nd parts their executors, administrators, and assigns, liberty and power to fasten and tie any timber and stone or other materials into and upon the south westerly gable of any building then or thereafter to be erected by the said Trustees of the survivors or survivor of them or the executors, administrators, of such survivor, their or his assigns on the extreme south westerly side of the said plot of land and paying one half of the value of such gable.

 

Which said now memorialising indenture as to the execution thereof by the said John Blackburn was witnessed by William Jackson of Todmorden, Wesleyan Minister and William Mather of Todmorden aforesaid, attorney's clerk.

 

And as to execution by Thomas Sutcliffe Law, Abraham Webster, William Sutcliffe, Alfred Cockcroft, John Clegg, James Dawson, and George Hudson was witnessed by William Mather. And as to execution by Edmund Whitaker was witnessed by Abraham Midgley Higgin of Overtown near Burnley, attorney's clerk. And as to execution by William Ingham was witnessed by John Clarke of Todmorden, Free Methodist Minister. And the same Indenture was required to be registered by the said John Blackburn.

*

1869

Todmorden UMFC   1869 631 035 039  

Memorial of Deed Registered at Wakefield 15th July 1869 dated 19th January 1869 Between:

 

  • William Thompson of Wakefield corn miller
  • Alfred Cockcroft of Shade near Todmorden in the county of Lancaster bookkeeper
  • William Ingham of Mankinholes in Langfield parish of Halifax gentleman
  • Richard Smith late of Dunnockshaw in Rossendale grocer now of Bacup ropemaker
  • George Hudson of Shade near Todmorden factory operative

 

all of the 1st part - and  

  • Thomas Sutcliffe Law of Dawson Weir, Todmorden, bookkeeper
  • Abraham Webster of Dobroyd in Todmorden, cabinet maker
  • William Sutcliffe of White Platts in Todmorden, cotton manufacturer
  • John Clegg of Dobroyd in Todmorden, overlooker
  • James Dawson of Wadsworth Mill, Todmorden, grocer

 

all of the 2nd part  

  • John Blackburn of York Street, Todmorden, wholesale grocer
  • Thomas Ashworth of Rose Bank in Todmorden, sizer
  • George Holdsworth of North Street, Todmorden, ironmonger
  • Jeremiah Crossley of York Street, Todmorden, shoe manufacturer
  • James Blackburn of Wellington Road, Todmorden, wholesale grocer
  • John Wild of Sandholme, Todmorden, bookkeeper
  • Henry Gibson of Albert Terrace, Todmorden, coal dealer
  • Samuel Crossley Farrar of Patmos, Todmorden, yarn agent
  • Abraham Crabtree of King Street, Todmorden, greengrocer
  • Thomas Crowther of York Street, Todmorden, factory operative
  • Joseph Hiley of Pavement, Todmorden, bookkeeper
  • Joseph Wilson of Shade in Todmorden, warehouseman
  • John Joshua Fielden of Eagle Street, Todmorden, cotton manufacturer
  • William Henry Clewer of Strand in Todmorden, watchmaker
  • William Fielden of Bath Street, Todmorden, cotton manufacturer
  • William Holden of School Street, Todmorden, cabinet maker

 

all of the 3rd part

 

Being Trustees of and on behalf of the United Methodist Free Churches.

 

Of and concerning First - all that plot of ground situate and lying in the township of Langfield in the parish of Halifax, part of a certain close there called the Mytholmes, late the estate of one Joshua Barnes Fielden deceased, which said plot of ground extended on the northerly side 41 yards, 1 foot 4 inches, on the southerly side, 47 yards, on the westerly side 21 yards and on the easterly side 20 yards, and the same was bounded on the northerly side by Calder Street, on the southerly side by School lane, on the westerly side by Bridge Street, and on the easterly side by Brook street, and contained in the whole by admeasurement, 893 and one-third square yards or thereabouts.

 

And also the Chapel or meeting house, cottages, and other buildings erected thereupon.

 

Secondly - All that plot or parcel of land situate in Stansfield aforesaid, then late part of a close called Crow Carr Ings, which said plot of land extended on the north-westerly side, 24 feet and was bounded on that side by a road or street Wellington Road, on the south-easterly side thereof 24 feet and was bounded on that side by a street there, 22 feet wide called Eagle Street, on the north-easterly side 63 feet and 3 inches, and was bounded on that side by a street called White Platts Street, and on the south-westerly side 60 feet 8 inches, and was bounded on that side by other lands the property of John Stansfield, and others, parties of the 1 st and 2 nd parts to a certain Indenture of Lease dated the 28th day of December 1861 and contained in the whole, 161 superficial square yards or thereabouts, and which said plot of land was more particularly shown in the plan thereof indorsed on the said Indenture of the 28th December 1861 and thereon colored Pink. And also the dwellinghouse and buildings then erected or which might thereafter be erected and built upon the said plot of land. Together with the rights, members and appurtenances.

 

And which deed as to execution by William Thompson was witnessed by George March of Leeds, machine maker, and as to execution by most of the other parties was witnessed by George Downing of Wellington Road, Todmorden, Minister.

 

  *

1889

 

Todmorden UMFC   1889 010 873 472

Memorial of Indenture of Assignment Registered at Wakefield 5th April 1889 and dated 30th March 1889 - Between:

  • John Blackburn of Hallwood House, Todmorden, wholesale grocer
  • Thomas Ashworth of Rose Bank in Todmorden, sizer
  • George Holdsworth of Southport in count Lancaster, gentleman
  • Jeremiah Crossley of York Street, Todmorden, boot and shoe manufacturer
  • James Blackburn of Fernside House, Todmorden, wholesale grocer
  • John Wild of Industrial Street, Todmorden, bookkeeper
  • Samuel Crossley Farrar of Brocklyn House, Todmorden, commission yarn agent
  • Abraham Crabtree of York Place, Todmorden, wholesale hay and straw dealer
  • Thomas Crowther of Garden Street, Todmorden, estate agent
  • Joseph Hiley of Rochdale county Lancaster, chemist's assistant
  • John Joshua Fielden of 6 Warrener Street, Sale, count Lancaster commission agent
  • William Henry Clewer of Strand in Todmorden, watchmaker
  • William Fielden of Vale Academy, Todmorden, Professor of Music
  • William Holden of Union Street, Todmorden, cabinet maker

Surviving Trustees of the Religious Body called the United Methodist Free Church at Bridge Street Todmorden all of the 1st part,

 

  • Abraham Crossley of 62 Wellington Road, Todmorden, joiner of the other part.

 

Of and concerning all that plot or parcel of land situate in the township of Stansfield then late part of the Crow Carr Ings, which said plot of land extended on the north-westerly side 24 feet, was bounded on that side by a road or street Wellington Road, on the southerly side thereof 24 feet and was bounded on that side by a street there, 22 feet wide called Eagle Street, on the north-easterly side 63 feet and 3 inches, and was bounded on that side by a street called White Platts Street, and on the south-westerly side 60 feet 8 inches, and was bounded on that side by other lands the property of John Stansfield, and others, parties of the 1st and 2nd parts to a certain Indenture of Lease dated the 28th day of December 1861 and contained in the whole, 161 superficial square yards or thereabouts, and which said plot of land was more particularly shown in the plan thereof indorsed on the said Indenture of the 28th December 1861 and thereon colored Pink. And also the dwellinghouse and buildings then erected or which might thereafter be erected and built upon the said plot of land or any part thereof, with the rights, privileges and appurtenances therein mentioned.

 

  *

1893

 

Todmorden (Bridge St.) UMFC   1893 034 806 409

Memorial of Indenture of Conveyance Registered at Wakefield 17th October 1893 and dated 4th October 1893. Between:

 

 

  • Annie Hyatt of No 184 Croydon Road, Anerley London widow

 

of the 1st part

 

  • John Blackburn of Hallwood House Todmorden, wholesale grocer
  • Thomas Ashworth of Todmorden Hall sizer and manufacturer
  • Jeremiah Crossley of York Street Todmorden boot and shoe dealer
  • John Wild of Industrial Street Todmorden retired book keeper
  • Abraham Crabtree of York Place, Todmorden wholesale fruit salesman
  • Thomas Crowther of Garden Street, Todmorden estate agent
  • John Joshua Fielden of Warriner Street, Sale nr Manchester, cloth salesman
  • William Fielden of Wellington Road, Todmorden teacher of music
  • William Holden of Mankinholes near Todmorden cabinet maker and upholsterer  

 

Hereinafter called the said Free Church Trustees of the 2nd part.

 

All that plot of land containing 893 and one third square yards or thereabouts and comprised in and demised by the thereinbefore recited Indenture of Lease of the 10th day of June 1847, with the said Annual Ground Rent of Fifteen Pounds secured by the said Lease, together with the therein mentioned Chapel or Meeting House, School, Vestries and other buildings now erected, standing and being thereon situate in Bridge Street, School Lane, Calder Street, and Brook Street, Todmorden aforesaid.

And which said Indenture of Lease was made between James Fielden and William Haworth of the 1 st part, Hannah Hyatt, wife of Edward Hyatt of the 2nd part and Joshua Fielden of the 3rd part a memorial whereof was registered at Wakefield the 14th December 1847 at twelve noon in Book PT page 646 and deed 497.

 

Witnesses John T. Reed, clerk to Messrs. Wells and Hind, solicitors of Nottingham to signature of Annie Hyatt. Witness Samuel Camm of Todmorden solicitor as to execution by the other parties.

 

  **

 

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