Pickup Bank Congregational Chapels, Darwen in the County of -- Lancashire --

Yate and Pickup Bank is a scattered community in a remote moorland area on the outskirts of Hoddlesden, Darwen.

The original Pickup Bank Chapel was built as an Independent Sunday School in 1834 and consecrated as a chapel in 1860. The land on which it is built belonged to the Honour of Clitheroe and was an extension to the land at Top o’ th’ Meadow first given as a burial ground.

Pickup Bank Old Chapel, Top o' th' Meadow, Yate and Pickup Bank 2015

The first services at Pickup Bank were held outside. In 1828 a few members of Lower Chapel started a school at Pickup Bank Cottage and held regular services there conducted by volunteers on Sunday afternoons. The local population clubbed together and bought a pulpit, a bible and a hymn book and, at the instigation of a Mr. Jeremy Hunt, the balance was used to start a fund for the building of a school. Within 18 months this goal was achieved. The local men collected the stone from the hillside and the flags for the roof from a local quarry. They paid for nothing they could do themselves, and the building was opened on 5th November 1835 as a Sunday School and Chapel.

In 1844 a Day School was instituted, the teacher being chiefly supported by subscriptions, but when the teacher moved to Hoddlesden and opened a School there the Pickup Bank School was discontinued. However the Chapel and Sunday School continued as before until the mid-1870s, when a trade depression drove many families from the area to the larger centres of industry in search of work. Many of these people never returned.

In the late 1880s several discussions took place regarding the building of a new Chapel and School at Hoddlesden. The little Pickup Bank Chapel was considered to have some serious disadvantages. Its position was now regarded as remote and difficult to access. The roads were steep and rugged and for almost half the year were made more difficult by the inclemency of the weather, often being blocked by snow and, when not blocked by snow, being ankle deep in mud. The population of Pickup Bank had declined significantly as people moved lower down into the Valley to work in the numerous factories and reside in the increased and improved accommodation provided.

At a Meeting in February 1891 the members felt the time was right for a more modern and commodious building to be erected, one more easily accessible to the then population of Hoddlesden, and it was unanimously agreed to commence a building fund forthwith. They were supported by a large circle of friends in Darwen and Blackburn and by 1899 had over £1100 in hand, plus a grant and an interest free loan from the Congregational Union in the offing.

Pickup Bank New Chapel, Johnson New Road, Hoddlesden

Building was commenced in April 1899 and the architects were Woods and Thackeray of Darwen. The Foundation Stones were laid on 2nd June 1899 by the Mayor of Darwen, Dr. J. T. Ballantyne, and Alderman Davies J.P. of Darwen. The new chapel, which was on Johnson New Road, was opened on 12th May 1900 by Alderman Lightbown B.A. J.P. of Darwen and John Yates, Esq., of Blackburn. It provided accommodation for about 300 worshippers and, including the School-room, cost about £3,500. The debt was finally discharged in November 1905 after a 3 day bazaar was held to raise the balance.

In 1909 the members themselves worked to redecorate the Church and School and around the same time a new Organ was installed, half its cost being defrayed by Mr. Andrew Carnegie.

From 1900 most of the activities of the Old Chapel at Top o’ th’ Meadow were transferred to the new building and this became the focal point, but in order to retain the Old Chapel as a place of worship three services per year were held there, plus various meetings including the local Parish Council meetings. In 1946 the roof collapsed, but was repaired by a local builder who gave his labour free in memory of his parents who were buried in the graveyard. The members raised the money for materials.

The new Chapel at Johnson New Road did not have a graveyard. It closed and was demolished in February 1987 due to dry rot. The altar table, WWI Memorial Tablet and some pews were saved and placed in the Old Chapel.

After the demolition of the Johnson New Road Chapel the three services per year continued at the Old Chapel and due to the fact that several organs had succumbed to the damp atmosphere the Darwen and Blackburn Brass Band was asked to accompany the services, a tradition which still continues.

In the 1990s, with the help of a grant, the burial ground was extended and work was carried out clearing the old graveyard and rebuilding the walls. A new fireplace and new front door were fitted and the pulpit and choir stalls were restored. However, in 1998, some 50 years after the previous roof repair, the roof was once again found to be in dire need repair. It was covered in flag stone slates and walking on them in order to make small repairs only caused problems elsewhere. On occasions it was not unusual to have 6 inches of snow on some of the pews when the wind was blowing from certain directions. Fortunately, a National Lottery grant was acquired and the roof was completely stripped and re-laid, 70% of the 170 year old flags being reclaimed. At the same time a new lining was fitted to the chimney of the open fire.

The original Pickup Bank Chapel at Top o’ th’ Meadow still stands and whilst it does not hold regular Sunday Services, it is still well maintained and there are occasional special events, marriages, christenings and burials. The very popular Christmas Carol Service by candlelight and paraffin lamp is a highlight of the year, accompanied by the Brass Band and a roaring fire! When needed, an electric organ is provided powered by a portable generator situated in the graveyard. There are still no utilities laid on.

Burials Registers for 1888-1980 and Monumental Inscriptions 1853-1972 are held by Lancashire Archives.

Additional Bibliography:-
“Our History 1828-1928” held in Darwen Library
Pickup Bank Congregational Old Chapel – The History 1940-2000 complied by Mrs. A. & Mr. H. Taylor