Ainsworth Chapel

Ainsworth Chapel stands within the village of Ainsworth, which lies between Bolton and Bury and north of Radcliffe in the old county of Lancashire, but now within Greater Manchester. It is one of a number of chapels in the area built by congregations that originated from the Great Ejection of 1662. For a while the ejected minister, John Lever, continued to preach in Cockey Chapel, the Chapel of Ease to Middleton which stood on the site of the present parish church. But eventually they were forced out and built the present chapel in 1715. It was enlarged in 1773 and then altered again in 1845, when the entrance was moved to its present position on the east wall from its previous position on the south side.

The chapel stands in the north-west corner of an extensive burial ground. Externally the building is of domestic appearance with two tiers of three-light mullioned windows; compare with the Hook’s Cottage of 1773 that stands near chapel. Entering through the gable-end east wall it is a surprise to find that the chapel is still arranged long-wall fashion with the pulpit on the north wall. There is a gallery on the other three sides, supported by turned wooden columns, although one has been replaced, or perhaps added, in cast-iron at some time.

The chapel notice board reads ‘Ainsworth Presbyterian (Unitarian) Chapel’. Like many originating from 1662, particularly in the north-west, the congregation was originally Presbyterian but subsequently moved to Unitarianism. A memorial plaque on the left of the pulpit to Joseph Bealey, pastor of the chapel for 26 years until his death on 9 August 1813, states that he openly announced his Unitarianism on Sunday, 4 April 1813. This was no doubt in anticipation of the Unitarian Toleration Act which received Royal Assent on 21 July 1813 and relieved persons “who impugn the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity from certain Penalties”. The plaque on the right side of the pulpit is to an earlier minister, Joshua Dobson, who died 29 August 1767 after a ministry of 35 years. This starts by telling the reader not to expect from this stone a “flattering memorial of his virtues” but then proceeds to give exactly that, speaking of his “candour and humility”, “diligence in acquiring and pleasure in communicating knowledge” and so on.

The chapel is now grade II* listed but faces an uncertain future with only two regular members and services one a month, on the first Sunday of the month.

You can find more information on the chapel website.