Extract from the Tottington Road Methodist Church Centenary Booklet 1890 - 1990, edited by Eric Mather, pages 5-8.
THE BOLTON CIRCUIT
An account of the work of God and the Sunday School at Harwood Lee
In the summer of 1837, the Primitive Methodist commenced at Harwood Lee, about 2 and a half miles from Bolton. Many came to hear; and some believed, and found Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost. A Society was formed and under the fostering care of James Maden it increased, and grew in wisdom and Piety. But in about 18 months he removed. This was a trial to the Infant Society, as the preaching and other means were in his house. Their Heavenly Father, however, directed them. They engaged a vacant house, fitted up one room for preaching, and three for a Sunday School.
The School was opened on Sunday, April 7th, 1839, and in a fortnight after this, two Sermons were preached, and collections made for it. The poor people took great interest in it, and some of the wealthier sort have kindly assisted.
R. Lomas Esq., Magistrate, gave one Pound, Ashworth Esq., ten shillings and some books, and other branches of the Ashworth family also contributed to the good cause, and severable respectable persons in the neighbourhood have likewise helped us, and to some of the above we are to look for something annually, believing as they do, that a School was very much needed at that place. We have 34 members in Society, and in the school we have 93 children, and 12 teachers. "To God be all the Glory.' Approved by Quarter Day. R. Davies.
Now they had to begin work in earnest, they had new forms to make and a new Pulpit.
They set to work at nights or at any time when they had finished their daily work; sometimes working nearly all night so as to make it convenient for the children in the School, and for Preaching and other Services, and in this way they went on, Working and Praying, and begging for something like two years, when they began to think about building a new school.
They had many Meetings and much talk about it, some of them were afraid they could not afford to build, as they could not see where the money was to come from. Some of them were determined they would have a new School, they said they would walk their clogs and shoe soles off their feet begging the money, before they would be without a new School.
One afternoon two men were seen measuring and pegging out some ground, to see how it would look, and how much they would want; one man was returning from his work, and seeing them in the field with a measuring tape; said, "Whatever is you two doing?", he was told they were measuring for a new School; he said, "They will ruinate us."
But the two men measured out 22 yards square, and said it would just do, they said "we have about 11d in hand to start with, and with faith and working we can get the remainder".
With much talk and persuading they agreed with the landlord for the land measured out, 22 yards square, at about three farthings per yard. They set to work getting the foundations out ready for walling, they let the building to a contractor from Bury, the building was finished before the end of 1841, but the money was not got to pay for it. The builder would not give them the deeds until the money was paid.
They owed him more than 100 Pounds, and he sent them Attorneys notes, and threatened he would sell them up dish and spoon; some of them was afraid of the bailiffs coming everyday. Edward Lomas said he was not afraid, he believed he could get the money. A meeting was held; it was decided that Edward Lomax and one other man should go to Mr John Ashworth to try to borrow £100. Mr Ashworth was at home, when he saw them he said; 'what does thou want now', looking at Lomax, 'I want £100' said Lomax. 'Will 90 not do?', Mr Ashworth said, 'no' said Lomax, 'no less than 100 will do'. He told him their circumstances, and Mr Ashworth said, thou shall have it. They got the 100 Pounds, and were very glad they could pay the man off, and get the deeds. Lomax and T. E. Tootill was chosen to go to Bury for the deeds, and glad they were when they got them. It rained very fast that day, they got wet to the skin, the young man seemed very dull, their clothes were sticking to their backs and legs, Lomax rolled up his trousers, and said, 'does't see these, if the awd cawves like these the awd swagger'. It cheered Tootill up and they got home rejoicing with the deeds in their possession. (I was informed that they went 22 times to Bury before all was settled) The Indentures was written on January 18th 1842 and signed by John Eskrick, James Bleasdale, Thomas Hamer, Thomas Tootill, Edward Lomax, John Howarth, Thomas Entwistle Tootill, Edward Platt, John Schofield. Ground Rent £1-10-0d.
These are considered to be the founders at Harwood. (T. E. Tootall was second Minister in Bolton Circuit in 1847).
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| Harwood Methodist Chapel in 1841 |
When the School was opened whole families began to attend and most of their descendants are attending at the present time, (the Smiths, Howarths, Platts, Ramsdens, Lomaxs, Hamers, Schofields, Entwistles, Heatons, Hulmes, and all descendants of the first attendants and officials of the School at the beginning) They had now more furniture to provide, such as forms, new Pulpit, a stove to warm the School, desks and other needful things. They learned to write in the Sunday School at that time, myself and James Greenhalgh being the last teachers of writing. (James Greenhalgh is the James Greenhalgh who is at present living in Manchester.)
The School increased and in 1853 they had a small vestry built, which cost about 14 pounds. The School kept increasing. About 1866 they began to think about getting some more ground and enlarging the School. They agreed to enlarge the ground 20 yards. by 6 yards., making the ground 42 yards by 28 yards. Indentures written on September 29th 1868, Trustees being;
John Eastwood, Edward Lomax, Thomas Smith, James Platt, Robert Walsh, James Ramsden, Arthur Howarth, Abraham Platt, Robert Howarth, Abraham Lomax, John Howarth, John Warwick.
On the new ground they built two new vestries which would open out to the School, costing about 120 pounds. They kept on until about 1889 when the School had become too small. They were determined they would have a new School. They took more land measuring 20 yards by 42 yards, and on it they had the present School built, costing altogether about £1,400, with the walling round the yard and levelling the ground, and other needful things. Present ground 42 yards by 48 yards.
Indentures written August 1st 1890. Trustees being:
William Travis, James Platt, James Heaton, Robert Howarth, John Smith, Thomas Smith, Thomas Ramsden, Joseph Ramsden, John Baines, Josiah Smith, Joseph Collier, Albert Ernest Platt, Samson Smith, Joseph Hamer, Edward Smith, Squire Nuttall.
The organ cost £350.
