Wiswell Chapel

A couple of quaint cottages in the charming village of Wiswell in the shadow of Pendle were once a Congregational chapel. Erected in 1831 during a Mr Nightingale’s ministry. I have come across that surnbame before and a number Lancashire ministers bore it, including one of Salem’s, Benjamin (1819-26). Whether he departed from our pulpit to supply Wisell and Wymonhouses, to which it was attached, I do not know.

A record of its opening service recounts:

“This Place will be kept in connexion with the Dissenting interest at Wymondhouses. This is another of the pleasing effect of village preaching. It was pleasing to see with what zeal the poor inhabitants entered upon this work; those who had it in their power gave money, and others gave work; and before the building was begun eighty days' work was promise, all of which has been wrought.”

Mr Nightingale removed to Ramsbottom in 1832 and was followed by Rev Charles Gregory... A grant of £15 per annum was made by the County Union in aid of the preaching of the Gospel in 1838 ... In 1841 Billington was joined to Wiswell and Wymondhouses as a preaching station. It continued such for a year or two and had a congregation of about forty persons.

It seems strange that in and before Victoria’s reign, Independent evangelical chapel were springing up in every village, whereas in our benighted times, even large towns cannot sustain them. Salem Chapel is unusual in regard, and it is peculiar that we should be launching into Burnley this coming year. May the God who inspired the founding of the chapel at Wiswell be with us at Martin Top; may He keep aflame our lamp as He walks about His churches.

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. Rev. 1:12-15