Religious services were first commenced by the Wesleyan Methodist  Association in a chamber of  the shop and part of the house occupied by Mr Daniel Baron in Union Street, between Irwell Street and back King Street. The ascent to the room was up some stairs from back  King Street.

The place was opened in November 1836 the preachers who officiated on this occasion were the Rev Joseph Worrall of Sheffield and Mr Glassbrook of Heywood.  A Sunday school was opened on Christmas day  1836, with about 40 scholars attending.  In June 1857 a attempt was made to gather a list of shareholders with a view to building a new church .
 

The trustees at this time being Henry Roberts of Change. Edward Taylor, Rochdale, Benjamin Standring, Benjamin Butterworth, James Petrie, Thomas Booth Junior, John Hoyle, John Haley, John Howarth, Richard Bridge, Daniel  Baron.

 

The building of the chapel was commenced  in November 1837. John Haley officiated as architect and the committee appointed to superintend the erection of the church was John Haley, John Howarth, Daniel Baron, Richard Bridge, Robert Stott Henry Roberts, Robert Lord, and Joshua Holt. The chapel was opened for divine worship November 25th 1938. The Rev Mr Peters of Liverpool officiating. For some years the church was known as the " Shareholders Chapel" 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 6th 1897 saw the laying of the foundation stones for the new church by Mrs Betty Pickles in memory of her  Father and Mother, Miss C Williams, Mrs Robert Clegg in memory of her Father, Mrs Halliwell, Mark Cockerill, Mrs George Shaw in memory other mother. The formal stone laying took place on May 8th 1897. The chapel was completed and the first services held on November 24th 1898.