United Methodist Free Church, Bluepits, Rochdale

TO BUILDERS - Persons desirous of tendering for the whole or any of the several works required in the erection of a PLACE OF WORSHIP at Bluepits for the United Methodist Free Church may see the Drawings and Specifications and obtain bills of quantities at the office of the architect at St Mary's gate Rochdale on or after Wednesday next, the 19th instant. Sealed tenders addressed to the Committee to be sent to the undersigned not later than Monday 3 March next. JAMES CHEETHAM, Architect, [Rochdale Observer - Saturday 22 February 1873 page 4]

THE METHODIST FREE CHURCHES - On Saturday afternoon the corner stone of a new chapel and Sunday school in connection with the United Methodist Free Churches was laid at Bluepits by Mr Thomas Watson of Horse Carrs. The chapel, which is a plain brick structure with dressings in white stone, will accommodate three hundred persons. It will contain open benches of pitch pine, varnished. At the back will be two small classrooms. The Sunday school, which contains 130 children, will be erected on the vacant ground adjoining the chapel, which will cost about £850 towards which £450 has been promised or received. Mr James Cheetham of Rochdale is the architect; Mr Wroe of Bluepits, the builder; and Mr W. A. Peters, contractor, for the joiners' work. Mr Platts of Oldham furnished the stock bricks. [Rochdale Times - Saturday 7 June 1873 Page 7]  

OPENING OF NEW CHAPEL - On Wednesday evening, the new chapel just erected in Bluepits by the United Methodist Free Church denomination was opened for divine worship. The foundation stone of the chapel and Sunday school, it may be remembered, was laid on . Saturday, the 31st May of the present year by Mr Councillor Watson and fifteen weeks have therefore been occupied in the erection and completion of the building. The interior and exterior of the chapel present a very neat appearance and the denominatio9n may now congratulate themselves upon having accommodation so well suited to their needs in the thriving village of Bluepits. [Rochdale Observer - Saturday 20 September 1873 page 8]

Reference    Rochdale Observer - Saturday 22 February 1873 page 4
Reference    Rochdale Times - Saturday 7 June 1873 Page 7  
Reference    Rochdale Observer - Saturday 20 September 1873 page 8