Forest of Rossendale. 207 



The original chapel in Lane Head Lane becoming too small, 

 was taken down and rebuilt in the year 1778 ; and in 1783, owing 

 to the congregation continuing to increase, a gallery was erected. 

 In 181 1 the Building was again pulled down, and a new Chapel 

 capable of seating 900 people erected the year following. This 

 latter has in its turn undergone material alterations, being 

 almost entirely rebuilt, and converted into a spacious and beautiful 

 School, which was opened Dec. 30, 1865. An entirely new- 

 Chapel was completed, and opened by the Rev. Hugh Stowell 

 Brown, in September, 1870. The structure is handsome and 

 commodious in all respects, and provides sitting accommodation 

 for 1,000 people. 



Of the Cloughfold section of the early "Baptist Church in 

 Rossendale," the following particulars are given in the writings 

 there preserved. "On the 20th of March, 1703, was surrendered, 

 by William Heap into the hands of Richard Holden, Simeon Lord, 

 and John Hartley, the sum of £i,o, for ever thereafter to be laid 

 out, employed, disposed of, and improved, to the best advantage, 

 and one fourth part of the profits arising from the purchase to be 

 given to Mr. William Mitchel of Bradford, Yorkshire, Clerk, during 

 his life ; and the three remaining parts thereof, and the said fourth 

 part, after the decease of the said William Mitchel, unto the use 

 and towards the maintenance of such person and persons as for the 

 time being, and from time to time, for ever thereafter should be the 

 ministers, pastors and teachers of the society or congregation of 

 dissenting Protestants, at Cloughfold and Bacup, within the Forest 

 of Rossendale." 



From the above it appears that Bacup, before the division of the 

 original Society into two bodies, was a joint participator with 

 Cloughfold in Mr. Heap's bequest or gift of the profits to be 

 derived from the investment of the ^40. But the following 

 further provision occurs: — " Provided always, and it is hereby 

 agreed and declared that as often as there shall be at the same 

 time two or more such Protestant Dissenting Ministers of the said 

 Societies or Congregations at Bacopp and Cloughfold aforesaid, 



