1 86 History of the 



its vicinity, took the necessary steps for erecting a Chapel of Ease 

 within the Town. The sanction of the authorities was obtained 

 on the stipulation that a proportion of the dues accruing to such 

 chapel should be paid to the Incumbents of Newchurch. It is 

 estimated that during the time this arrangement continued in effect, 

 a sum of upwards of jQi^oo was handed over to Newchurch, as its 

 proportion of the fees. 



On the i6th of August, in the year 1788, St. John's, Bacup, was 

 consecrated by Dr. Cleaver. Bishop of Chester. The land on 

 which the Church is built was given by John \\'hitaker, Esq., of 

 Broadclough. 



The old School which formerly stood on the site of the 

 Mechanics' Institution, though originally belonging to the Baptist 

 denomination, was latterly used as an Episcopal place of worship 

 prior to the erection of St. John's, and, as before-mentioned, the 

 Rev. Mr. Uttley, the Clergyman residing at Goodshaw, ofificiated 

 therein every alternate Sunday. 



The National School was built by subscription, in the year 

 1829. Mrs. Heyworth, of Willow Cottage, who died in her 93d 

 year, gave ;^6o towards that object, and a few other of the 

 principal residents in the town and district, ;^5o each. 



The Trustees, who were originally the Patrons of the Church, 

 guaranteed ;;^8o per annum to the Minister in addition to his 

 proportionate share of the dues. The income derived from the 

 sittings, at the beginning of the century, amounted to about ;^i2o 

 per annum, and the balance of £,/^o remaining after paying the 

 salary of the Incumbent, was spent in defraying the other 

 expenses of the church. A charity sermon was preached once 

 every second or third year, and a collection made in support of the 

 School, which was originally held in the old building referred to 

 above. 



The Rev. Joseph Ogden was the first Incumbent. He came 

 from Sowerby in Yorkshire, to which place he eventually returned 

 after spending several years of usefulness 'at Bacup. The reason of 

 his leaving Sowerby and returning thither again, is stated by his 



