There were at one time two Independent Methodist meeting places in
Lowton the present church located at Lowton Saint Mary’s and referred to
as Lowton Common. This church you will read below came about when the
people there defected from the Wesleyan's in 1819.
The other
cause was older. We believe that a James Ashton born in 1774, started to
hold cottage meetings in his cottage on Church Lane opposite Saint
Luke’s Church, how his meetings became associated with the Independent
Methodists is not known, but it certainly happened no later than 1815
and possibly much earlier. There was a lot of Independent Methodist
activity in the area at the time and as well as Lowton there were
meetings at Croft and Risley, it is interesting to note that there are
still meetings in all these places. James Ashton is known to have
preached at the present church after it joined the Connexion.
The
attendance at Ashton’s meetings became predominantly people from
Golborne and eventually the people wanted to relocate to Golborne but
Ashton was reluctant to loose his meeting. The people took matters into
their own hands and opened their first Golborne Church in 1847, the
third Golborne Church now closed still stands in the centre of High
Street built in front of the second church. The meetings at Ashton’s
cottage continued until he died in 1859.
In order to help with
our research into the development of the Independent Methodist Churches
in Lowton and Golborne. We are interested in locating a photograph of
the cottages that were in Church Lane, in the vicinity of the former
Beech House this was located approximately in the region of the new
Co-op store. Also any descendants of the James Ashton mentioned.
In
“A short history of Independent Methodism” published in 1905 James
Ashton is refereed to as a pioneer of Independent Methodism in the
Lowton Area, in the section dealing with Lowton Common the present IM
church.
The Independent Methodist Magazine for 1908 States that
the cottage of James Ashton was still standing but we believe that it
has long since been demolished. It is believed to have been close or
next to Beech House also now demolished.
Beech House
There are some interesting facts about James Ashton’s ministry and his clashes with the established church A letter held in the IM Archives and sent to George Ashton From John Pennington the First Rector of St.Luke's Church dated 31st May 1811.
Pennington's Letter
The
text is difficult to read but consensus is that it says that if
Ashton does not produce a real license to preach for him to inspect that
morning, Pennington was intending to report Ashton to the Bishop of
Chester as an undesirable person
When we see the friendship and
cooperation that now exists amongst the Lowton Churches it is
interesting to note the animosity that existed less that 200 years ago.
George
Ashton was born in 1774 and during his early life attended the
"Established Church" He came under Methodist Influence and was
converted, in 1799 he opened his home as a preaching house Services
were held for sixty years until his death in September 1859. Ashton's
name first appears in Independent Methodist minutes in 1815 but he began
his ministry many years before and was associated with the Warrington
Circuit.
He received much persecution when he began the
preaching services at his house. In his memoir we are told " The step
brought him into great trouble, and a multitude of persecutors of the
most bitter character, surrounded his house whenever he and his
brethren met for worship, Stones, sludge and brick-bats were hurled at
them, while their ears were saluted with the most awful and bitter
language. These mobs were frequently headed by those who professed to
be the friends of religion.
As protection against these base men
the house was licensed as a place of worship, which in some measure
restrained their violence, and preaching and worship continued in his
house for sixty years."
The letter appears to have been written
during this period of preassure and persicution. It was written by John
Pennington the first Rector of Lowton.(It is interesting to note that
St.Luke's history only records his as Resident Curate from 1813 and
rector from 1845) (Webmaster).
However on July 5th 1806 a
request for registration of the cottage had been presented to the
Bishop of Chester and is entered in the Episcopal Registry under the
date August 22nd 1806 It is signed by James Ashton, Thomas Hill, James
Houghton, Thomas Boardman, William Smith, Peter Smith and Robert
Dickenson (Copy in Cheshire Records Office) in view of this petition
duly accepted and registered it is difficult to interpret John
Pennington's action as anything other that wanton persecution. Whether
the mobs were incited by him is not known and it is desirable not to
make the inquity. (IM Magazine 1908)
A SHORT HISTORY
This
is a reprint of the section dealing with the Independent Methodist
Church at Lowton, taken from the book Memories of Lowton, by Richard
Ridyard that was published in 1935. The Ridyard family were worshipers
at this Church. The complete book has been reprinted at least three
times the last time an edited version was produced in 1963 by P & D
Riley but is once again out of print. Other books on the history of
Lowton have been produced by local farmer Bert Worsley but again all of
Bert's books are now out of print. At the present time all the books
mentioned are available from the Golborne and Leigh libraries.
LOWTON
COMMON METHODIST: The inhabitants of Lowton Common have long been
known for their sturdy Puritanism and Nonconformity, and as far back as
1642, during the civil war, we find some of the villagers taking part
in a fight between the Puritan and Loyalist forces. It is recorded that
one Sunday morning, during the Winter of the above year, Lord Strange.
Seventh Earl of Derby, was marching towards Bolton at the head of his
Loyalist troops. About one o?clock they arrived in the vicinity of
Chowbent, where they were met by more than three thousand young men,
hastily summoned. comprising framers, wheelwrights, weavers, nailmakers,
and rustics from the surrounding districts, who attacked the
Loyalists, and drove them back through Leigh towards Lowton. The
horsemen, more bold than cautious, out rode the men on foot, and
sustained a temporary loss on Lowton Common. However, when the men on
foot arrived the battle was turned in their favour, and about two
hundred of the Loyalist forces were killed and the rest disarmed and
made prisoners. That many horses were also killed during the battle.
and were buried near to where Knott?s Mill now stands is given colour
by the great number of horse shoes found some years ago, during some
excavating operations in that area.
Flint's Victoria Hall Ballroom
Now
flats it is believed this building 100 yards from the present chapel
was one of the early meeting places of the church.
With an
ancestry who were prepared to fight and die if need be for the cause of
religious and civil liberty, it is not surprising that Methodism
should appeal to the spiritual nature of many of the villagers and it is
known that Methodist meetings were held in cottages as far back as
1780. Which section of Methodism or Nonconformity was the first to hold
cottage meetings, I have not been able to ascertain. but during the
later portion of the 18th century, meetings were held in one of the
three cottages which are still standing in Lowton Hall fold. From
information I have been able to obtain, I conclude the worshippers were
believers in adult baptism by immersion, as there is a well founded
tradition, that in a stream of water running near by the cottages. there
used to be a small square reservoir, a few feet deep, the bottom and
sides of which were made of blocks of stone. Resting on the coping
stones were rough hewn images of angels and churches. which after the
dissolution of the sect, went to adorn the rockeries in the local
cottage gardens.
Another meeting place for worship in these early
times was the granary attached to Yew Tree farm. and I learn that only
a few years ago. the original oak reading desk was broken up for fire
wood by the tenant farmer. To which section of Nonconformity these
religious enthusiasts belonged no one knows, but there is authentic
history of the Wesleyans holding meetings about 1720. in the house known
as Gilded Hollins farm, which still stands opposite Knott?s Houses,
St. Helens Road. In course of time it was decided to build a school
chapel. and a Mr. Richard Eckersley, who owned some land on Lowton
Common. gave the land on which it was erected. and opened in 1794. The
building was used as a day school. Sunday school. and also for holding
preaching services. The first schoolmaster was a Mr. Peter Eckersley.
For
a time the cause must have prospered for according to an old Hymn
Sheet, dated 1810. the scholars attached to the Sunday School numbered
200. A footnote on the Hymn Sheet reads as follows :? "In this school
there are upwards of 200 scholars taught to read every Lord?s Day. The
amount of collections and donations last year was ?6 9s. 0d. That our
pecuniary assistance is insufficient must be obvious to everyone who
considers that the above sum is on the aver age only sixpence for each
scholar. We are therefore under the imperious necessity of adopting a
plan that has long been in use at other places on such occasions, and
which has always succeeded, viz.: of receiving silver at the door. It
is not intended to supersede but to be added to the collection, which
will be made as usual after the sermon. After mature deliberation we
could not but think of a plan so calculated to supply our wants as that
now proposed, and we flatter ourselves it will? meet with the cordial
approbation of every lover of mankind, whom we once more solicit
liberally to impart all possible help in sup port of the institution."
I
cannot but think that this arrogant appeal was ill-advised on the part
of the managers of the Institution, who largely hailed from Leigh, and
judging from what followed I attribute the decline of Wesleyanism in
Lowton to it. As an old Lowtonian, knowing something of the termperament
of the villagers of 50 or 60 years ago, I can well imagine the spirit
in which so dictatorial a document would be received by the older
generation of inhabitants. To demand the payment of a silver coin before
being allowed to enter his place of worship. and then be expected to
contribute at the close of the sermon, would be anathema to the then
sturdy independence of the average Lowtonian. From that time disputings
began among the congregation, and in the course of a few years the
members had dwindled down to six, and strange to say they were all named
Eckersiey. The cause almost died out. through not being able to get
regular supplies of preachers and workers, and often the place would be
closed for several weeks at a time.
That the meagre financial
assistance could not be attributed to the niggardly nature of the
natives, is evidenced by the large amount of money subscribed by them in
succeeding years. and the cause of the trouble can only be surmised.
On the fundamentals of doctrine there was little difference between the
contending parties. and I am of the opinion that the trouble was more a
question of management. and the belief of the Lowtonians that all
efforts to propagate the Gospel. or working for the Lord, as they would
term it, should be a labour of love, spontaneously rendered. without
thought of any financial reward. whereas the Wesleyans believed in a
paid ministry, etc.
Be this as it may, it is in this spirit and
belief that Independent Methodism. at Lowton Common has grown from one
success to another during the past one hundred years. Immediately after
the few remaining Wesleyans had left the place in the hands or their
stronger rivals. a new cause was started under the name of Independent
Quaker Methodists. In a short time it became necessary to build a larger
place, so the old place was pulled down and a larger School Chapel
built, and opened in the year 1834, "for children of all Denominations."
The cause prospered so much that a third place had to be built, and
this was opened in November, 1849, the collection for the day being over
?20. A very considerable sum to raise in those days.
In my
infancy I was baptised in the above building, and up to the time of it
being vacated. I regularly attended the Sunday School and preaching
services held therein. The cause so prospered that the Trustees decided
to build a larger chapel and school, and they were fortunate in
securing a piece of land near by the old place for ?200, on which the
present commodious chapel and school were erected, at a cost of about
?5,000, and opened on March 26th, 1880. I was present at the laying of
the foundation stones, and also at the opening of the premises, and was
married at the Chapel 49 years ago.
None of the pioneers of
Lowton Common Methodism were educated men, as education is usually
understood, but they undoubtedly possessed wisdom, and a zealous faith
in their mission. Some of their names I shall never forget. such as:
James Eckersley, William Winstanley, Richard Collier, lames Ince, Simon
Boydell, John Boydell, Joseph Birchall Joseph Hesford, and my
grandfather, Joshua Ridyard, who, when I was quite young, led me to the
Sunday School, where he taught a class of very young boys, always
referred to as the "Reedy mid aisey class?, because of the title of the
book from which they were taught to read being "Reading Made Easy".
Some of these men were preachers, and much of their speech was in the
local vernacular, and very quaint it would sound if heard from a pulpit
to-day.
James Eckersley was a descendant of an old Lowton
family, and he began preaching, when only sixteen years of age, and he
often had stones and other missiles thrown at him when holding open-air
meetings, but undaunted he held on. and many of those who had been
opposed to him became changed men, through the influence of his precepts
and example. Although he was a member of the Primitive Methodist
Chapel. Lane Head, he often preached at Lowton Common Chapel on a Sunday
morning. He was a great favourite with the boys who attended the
service, partly on account of his quaint sayings. but principally
because of his brevity in conducting the service. If we saw him walking
in the direction of the Chapel. one of the lads would approach him and
say, "Are yo pretchen. Jemmv". his answer would invariably be, "Ave an
al not keep yo lung if vo?ll promise bi good lads". Of course the
promise was readily given, but whether it was always kept. I have my
doubts. True to his side of the bargain he would suddenly cut short the
service about half an hour before the usual time: and exclaim. "Ah con
see th?lads are genen tyart. so al gie oer, and let urn go whom to
their dumplins".
I remember an occasion when several young men
of the village thought they would frighten him one dark Sunday night,
when he was returning home across the fields from Golborne, where he
had been the preacher for the day. They agreed to hide in the hedges.
and on his approach one of them should meet him, after making himself
look as weird and ghost-like as possible by enveloping himself in a
white sheet. When they heard the old gentleman?s footsteps coming along
the foot path. the ghost left its hiding place and met him face to
face. The old man never changed his pace. but on passing the ghost,
quietly said: "If thert dival theu cawnt hurt me. and if thert human.
God al not let thi touch me". If the faith of old James could not
literally remove mountains, it certainly removed from the hearts of
those young men all desire ever to play the ghost on him again.
The
late Mr. T. L Travers in his book of Manuscript, dated December 19th,
1888. records as follows:? "Curious sayings and doings of old James
Eckersley, of Lowton. a well-known and highly respected local preacher.
A man very well versed in Scripture, and who at times could pray and
preach as one inspired.. His Gospel was love of God and his fellow
creatures. A most innocent and unworldly man, who all his life went
about doing good. Never-the-less he was erratic and highly eccentric,
his speeches occas ionally bordering on the most startling themes. He
is still living, being 85 years oi age. and wonderfully active at the
time these lines were written". I once heard him say from the pulpit
that if he had had twenty lads, he would make them serve the Lord or he
"would breke ther yeads"; well, he has three sons, who have followed
in their father?s footsteps.
At one time describing the glories
of heaven, he said, "There would be mountains o dumplins an rivers o
broth, and?th women woula have a rare time on?t as ther would bi no
dolly tubs nur washin beillers waiten fur urn on a Monday mornin". On
another occasion he said he would like to see all his neighbours, and
all that he had known, to be saved, and if he had the power he would
"slek hell-fire eaut". One time he was holding forth and a man near the
pulpit was nodding, where. upon old James. tapping him on the head,
said, "Wakken up. Ruffley, thers a creawn o?glory wainn fur thee in
heaven if theu has a bawd yead?..
Being in his company once, and
a young lady being present. he turned to her and said. "Ah tell thi
what, wench. thi fevther owds some quare notions abeaut heaven. He
thinks thoos ut ur saved al bi flyin abeaut wi angels, seem th wonders
oth universe, an travelin fro one Orb tut tother. Ah tell thi what ast
think it strange when I?m i heaven if ah see thi feyther whizzin past
hooked on to a comet?s tail".
Conversation overheard. October,
1889. between two old Lowton celebrities, both being rather deaf. one
aged 85 and the other 75. J. Eckerslev: ?Did?t go to?t Chappil
Anniversary o Sunday;? R. Collier: ?Aye?. J. Eckersiev: ?What wur Mawt
(Mort) pretchin abeawt??
R. Coller: ?Well, he wur quite Apastolic
like, he gan us a deol o Schripther. an he startet othe beginin an
finished off athe eendin he gan us o text, but rawnt abeawt o good
deol. Ah should like furt year him again, for he gan mi o deol o
comfort in mi yead?.
Old Penks? (Penkethman) account Of Bishop
Ryles? Sermon at St. Mary?s Church, Lowton, 1890.
"Hes one othe
reet soart o passons. He didn?t daily but went reet at his wark. an he
didn?t begin furt exalt his-sel nor howd up? th sacriments for
salvation. Nowt but plain straight forrud tawk, an when eed dun he gan
o?er beawt anny moor bother".
Mr. Penkethman was a staunch
supporter of Independent Method ism and lived at Lowton Hall Farm.
where he died about 40 years ago. I used to hay-make for him during my
school holidays, and I remember he was strongly opposed to Sunday
haymaking. On one occasion his principles cost him dearly, for on a
Saturday evening in July, 1872 after a period of fine weather, he had a
twelve acre field of hay ready for being stacked. The workmen, afraid
the weather might break expressed a wish to stack it on the following
day, Sunday. Mr. Penkethman was against the suggestion, declaring he
had never allowed haymaking on the Sabbath day, and he never would. The
Sunday was fine until late afternoon, when a thunder storm came on,
and it rained, as it had never in living memory done before or since. A
larger area of land was flooded than has ever been known, and the
weather never really picking up for some weeks, the hay was spoilt, and
made only fit for bedding the cattle, or the manure heap.
The
men said the man was a tool for not taking advantage of the fine
Sunday, but Mr. Penkethman had the satisfaction of knowing that he had
kept the Sabbath day holy, and as a good Methodist would no doubt
console himself with the thought that his earthly loss would be to his
eternal gain.
Richard Collier was a prominent member of the
Chapel. and a local preacher, and as such he christened me when I was a
child.
Mr. Ruffley. when a young man, had been one of the worst
characters in the village, but through the influence of the Chapel he
became a reformed man, and faithfully attended the services until his
death. I remember him once telling his religious experiences, and with
fervour portraying the "glory of heaven, with its beautiful mansions,
one of which was reserved for him, its streets pave?t wi gowd. an no
hongry ballies theer, furt neawdding mugs. wud bi runnin o'er wi dowf".
Mr.
James Mort was considered to be one of the best preachers connected
with the Independent Methodist. and hailed from Lvmm? where he worked on
the highway. He was in great demand for preaching Anniversary sermons,
and having studied Botany, he always chose a text bearing on the
subject. such as:?"Consider the lillies of the field", or "The grass
withereth. etc". He would begin his discourse b outlining the science of
plant life, and vegetable kingdom. and then give it a spiritual
meaning. This he could do exceedingly well, and he was undoubtedly a
good and intelligent preacher.
Although I have wandered far
theologically from the Methodist fold since my young days. it is with
gratitude that I acknowledge my indebtedness to these pioneers of Lowton
Methodism. most of whom were old men when I was a boy, for their
instruction and good advice, in trying to make me, as they would say,
into a good lad.
Richard Ridyard 1935
<>Reproduced
from the Short History of Independent Methodism, published in 1905 as a
souvenir of the hundredth Annual Meeting of I.M. Churches.
LOWTON
COMMON.
In trying to ascertain the commencement of Methodism at
Lowton Common we go back more than a century. Prior to 1794 there was a
small society formed by the Wesleyans. and meetings held in cottage
houses. After a time it was agreed to try and get a school, and a Mr.
Eckersley, who owned some land on Lowton Common, gave a plot, on which a
School was built. This was opened as a Wesleyan school in the year
1794 The place was afterwards used, for day school, Sunday school, and
preaching services. Unfortunately, the cause almost died out, owing to
its being unable to get a regular supply of ministers and workers. The
condition of things became so low that there were no preaching services
held for three or four weeks at a time. This state of things gave much
anxiety and regret, and a number of those residing in the
neighbourhood conferred together and tried to raise another cause. They
took possession of the premises, which created some bitter feeling
between the few remaining Wesleyans and the new corners, but the latter
became the stronger party, and after a time the Wesleyans left the
place in the hands of their rivals. The next step they took was to
consult with Peter Phillips, of Warrington who promised to preach and
help them. Thus the cause was again started under the name of
Independent or Quaker Methodists, and a supply of ministers arranged
for the services.
Shortly after this it became necessary to
build a larger place. The old building was taken down and a more
convenient school erected, which was opened in the year 1834, for
children of all denominations. The following are the names of some of
the pioneers of Independent Methodism at Lowton Common. Preachers :
James Ashton,
James Eckersley, John Chisnall, Jeremiah Collier,
Jeptha Thompson, William Birchall, and others. Sunday school
superintendents, teachers, etc.: Thomas Lowe, Abel Gregson, Richard
Atherton, John Bridge, Thomas Cook, Robert Battersby, Joshua Ridyard,
John Bent, William Winstanley and William Smith. Eventually the cause
prospered, so much so that a third school-chapel had to be built. This
was completed and opened in November, 1849, by our late respected
friends ?William Sanderson and James Gandy. The collections for the day
amounted to ?70 a very large sum to raise at that time. Since the
above place was opened the work has so prospered and grown that the
trustees had to look out for more land on which to erect chapel and
schools. They were very fortunate in securing a site near the old place
for the sum of ?200, on which a commodious chapel and schools have
been built, the total cost being nearly ?4,000. These buildings were
opened on March 26th, 1880.This and other local histories can be found
at http://www.lulu.com/lowton
"The Chapel School" was behind
the chapel and run by Lancashire Education Committee. Thanks to Alec Hughes for this photograph
