156 History of the 



In the year 1560, the 3d of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the 

 original building having become inadequate to the accommodation 

 of a rapidly-increasing population, was taken down and replaced by 

 a more substantial erection. This latter served for a period of one 

 hundred and ninety-three years, viz., till the year 1753, when an 

 addition was made to the structure by Mr. John Ormerod of 

 Tunstead, and Mr. John Hargreaves of Newchurch, under a 

 Faculty granted for that purpose by the Bishop of Chester. The 

 following extract from the memorial to the Bishop for the requisite 

 authority, supplies the particulars for this enlargement : — 



"To THE Right Rev. Edmund, bv divine permission, Lord 

 Bishop ok Chester. 



"The Humble Petition of John Ormerod of Tunstead and John 

 H.^rgreaves of Newchurch in Rossendale in the County of Lan- 

 caster, and Diocess of Chester, Gentn. 



"Sheweth, that whereas through the great increase of the Inhabitants of the 

 ■Chapelry aforesaid, the Chapel of Newchurch is much too small to con- 

 tain the number of Inhabitants resorting thither for Divine Worship, and 

 several of them want convenient Seats for themselves and families in the 

 said New Church ; and therefore your Petitioners humbly pray authority 

 may be granted to them, at their own costs, to take down the East End 

 of the said New Church, and enlarge the same Eastwards in length seven 

 yards, and to build a Gallery within the same with seats therein, and a 

 convenient Staircase leading into the said Gallery from the Chapel yard, 

 and also for removing the Communion Table from the place where it now 

 stands, and placing the same at the East End of the intended new 

 Erection, with like authority to erect Seats in consideration of removing 

 the Communion Table, that is to say, to lengthen and add to the 

 pews now standing on each side of the Communion Table. And for 

 disposing of such additional Seats, and also of the Seats in the new 

 Erection, to such Persons as want the same at reasonable Rates propor- 

 tioned to the Goodness or Conveniency of the Seats, and the charge to 

 be expended in this Behalf. 



"(Signed) John Ormerod. 



John H.vrgreaves. 



"Dated 1st January, 1753. 



