Name: Goodshaw Chapel
Rating: 5.0

Goodshaw Chapel

Goodshaw Avenue, Rossendale, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

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Description

Goodshaw Chapel English Heritage's only Nonconformist place of worship, this atmospheric Baptist chapel displays a complete set of box-pews, galleries and pulpit dating from 1742-1809. From the outside the building is characteristic of nonconformist chapels of the period, and it was built with gritstones and flagstones from the nearby hillsides.

East Lancashire was an early centre of religious dissent in England. In the early seventeenth century the region was noted for its strong dissenting tradition; after 1690, when non-conformists (Christians who did not conform to the Church of England) secured freedom of worship, a multitude of meeting places for their congregations appeared. In the early eighteenth century these were often barns or private houses, but by the 1740s purpose-built chapels were more common.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

History of Goodshaw Chapel: From the outside the building is characteristic of nonconformist chapels of the period, and it was built with gritstones and flagstones from the nearby hillsides.
East Lancashire was an early centre of religious dissent in England. In the early seventeenth century the region was noted for its strong dissenting tradition; after 1690, when non-conformists (Christians who did not conform to the Church of England) secured freedom of worship, a multitude of meeting places for their congregations appeared. In the early eighteenth century these were often barns or private houses, but by the 1740s purpose-built chapels were more common.
Architecturally the presentation of these buildings was invariably plain and simple, partly to distinguish them from Anglican churches and partly because they were built by the congregations themselves, using local materials and with limited funds.
The Baptists established a meeting at Lumb, east of Goodshaw, in 1742. This soon united with a group of Wesleyans, and in 1760 the combined congregation built a new chapel at Goodshaw, using materials from an older chapel. The pews were reputedly brought across the moor from Lumb on the shoulders of the men.
Today Goodshaw Chapel stands beside a narrow lane, with a housing estate down the hill, but in 1760 this was the main Burnley road, with few houses nearby. Such places – accessible from farms and cottages over a wide area – were typical of early nonconformist places of worship.
The congregation grew as the expansion of the textile industry encouraged local population growth. At the beginning of the nineteenth century the chapel was extended to its present size, but in 1864 a new chapel was built on the main road and this one then saw only occasional use.
In the mid-twentieth century the building was no longer in use and by the late 1960s was derelict, but in 1975 it was recognised as a unique survival of an early nonconformist chapel retaining many of its original internal features. It was taken into the guardianship of the Department of the Environment and a full restoration scheme was completed in 1984.

Facilities

Parking: There is no car park for the site, but on street parking is available.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/goodshaw-chapel/opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

To look inside the site, please contact our Key Keeper to arrange a visit. Details below.

Address: Goodshaw Avenue, Rossendale, UK

Post Code: BB4 8QB

Council: Rossendale

County: Lancashire

Road Access: In Crawshawbooth, 2 miles north of Rawtenstall via A682 (in Goodshaw Ave – turning off A682). Chapel approx. 1 1⁄2 miles from main road.
Bus Access: Transdev Burnley & Pendle ‘Witch Way’ services X43/4.
Train Access: Burnley Manchester Road 4 1⁄2 miles.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is no car park for the site, but on street parking is available.