There is no archive for the Chapel and its history has to be pieced together from scattered
sources, mainly in the Oldham Borough Council archives and the Independent Methodist
Resource Centre. The principal references are in a booklet published in 1916 when the
existing building celebrated its centenary and when old minutes and accounts were still in
existence, an account book for the period 1825-1854 and casual references in printed
sources, especially the Free Gospel Advocate and the Independent Methodist Magazine.
The congregation that built the George Street Chapel was formed by a group, which
broke away from St Peter’s church in 1805, under the leadership of Joseph Matley. This
group in turn divided over the question of an ordained ministry and a congregation led by
John Nield rented rooms from George Hardman so that they were sometimes called
‘George Hardman’s folks’ and subsequently in a disused mill in Whitehead Square. The
congregation was visited by the American evangelist Lorenzo Dow whose diary records
that he preached to the ‘Independent Methodists’ in Oldham in 1806. This is the first
recorded use of the term and the George Street Chapel seems to owe its origins to the
congregation who first adopted that name.
This congregation by 1815 was confident enough to build its own chapel on land in
George Street. This land was acquired freehold but subject to a chief rent which the later
account book shows was paid to a John Winterbottom. The congregation also raised a
£400 loan, still being paid off 20 years later. It appears that this money was to buy
materials, for the congregation are said to have done much of the building work
themselves, often starting work at 4.30 am so that they could do some work before their
daily paid employment. The foundation stone was laid on 1 April 1815 and the first
George Street Chapel, Oldham, service was held in the Chapel a year later.
Look up the 'history' label to pick up other aspects of the history of George Street that are uncovered during our research.
