Chapel worship mission appeal

AGE Concern has received a £51,800 boost in its bid to bring George Street Methodist Chapel — one of Oldham’s most historic buildings — back to life.

Now the charity is looking to recruit enthusiastic volunteers to set up a Friends of George Street Chapel group.

Members will be consulted about future plans and developments and help to raise awareness and funds.

They will also become involved with the day-to-day running of the project, including acting as guides for visitors to the chapel

Maggie Hurley, from Age Concern Oldham, said: “We don’t expect volunteers to be Methodist, or even religious, and we don’t expect a history degree. If you are interested in the chapel’s history and would like to meet new and interesting people, we’d love to hear from you.”

Age Concern bought the Grade II listed building in 2003 with a view to repairing and restoring it.

The disused chapel, which has stood in Oldham for almost 200 years, is seen as a key piece of Oldham’s heritage.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has given Age Concern £51,800 to develop and finalise the details of restoration plans to help secure extra funding over the next two years. Age Concern plans to make the chapel a focus for a town trail of significant local buildings. The building, one of the oldest independent Methodist chapels in the world, will also have a new life as a functions and meetings facility.

The chapel was built in 1815 by a group of friends. Many of the members were hatters. A key feature of the chapel is a collection of wooden pegs for members to hang their hats on.

Underneath the chapel lies a row of two-roomed single-storey cottages in which families lived to bring in extra income. It is still possible to see the original fireplaces.

Maggie added: “We would like to know any interesting information anyone has about the chapel. Putting together its life story is like doing a jigsaw — every little piece counts.”

Anyone interested in getting involved should email maggie.hurley@oldham-ageconcern.co.uk or by call 0161-633 0213.