On 12th June 1673, Oliver Heywood opened a Chapel by licence in
the best parlour
of his own house at Northowram.
He continued there until the Toleration Act of 1688.
He built a new Chapel on land – and with stone – donated by William Clay. Heywood laid the foundation stone on 23rd April 1688, and – against much opposition – the Chapel opened on 8th July 1688. The datestone from Heywood's house, the original Chapel – OH 1688 – can be seen in the wall of the new Chapel.
Heywood lived in his own property at Northowram House. In 1750, Nathaniel Priestley gave land and stone to construct The Manse on Towngate.
In 1710, the first trustees were appointed. In 1710, when Rev Thomas Dickenson was Minister, the Chapel was enlarged to accommodate the large congregation.
In 1744, a second trust was formed.
In 1783, a new gallery was added.
From 1819, Rev John White made great efforts in raising money for a new Chapel and Sunday School.
The old Chapel was demolished in 1836. A new larger Chapel designed by Matthew Naylor - was built (possibly) on the same site – and opened on 27th June 1837.
The cost was £1,600 of which £1,100 was cleared by the end of the opening service.
Box pews and the second-hand organ were installed. The pulpit is made up of linen-fold panelling brought from old Chapel.
It accommodated 600 worshippers
During the Ministry of Rev Giles Hoyle [1849-1861], the congregation rose from 37 to 100, and the organ gallery was built at the Chapel.
In 1850, the Chapel was licensed for marriages.
In 1863, the Chapel was improved and altered, and woodwork was stained and varnished.
In 1866, gas was installed to replace the old oil lighting.
In 1869, a new organ was installed by Messrs Holt & Son of Leeds at a cost of £235. Details can be found in the National Pipe Organ Register.
For many years, Ben Cordingley was the organ-blower.
By 1877, there were more than 200 members of the Chapel.
In 1879, a second graveyard was presented by Mrs Fred Crowther who had received it as a gift from Major Michael Stocks.
Between June and September 1887, the Chapel was closed for alterations, costing £340.
In 1908, Rev Mark Pearson completely renewed the Chapel at a cost of £1,800. Thomas Kershaw was involved in changes to the Chapel [1908].
In 1930, electricity was installed for the lighting and the organ.
In 1934, the organ was renovated at a cost of £200.
A list of some of the Ministers of Heywood's Chapel is given in a separate Foldout
It became a Congregational church.
It is now known as Northowram United Reform Church
See Ebenezer Methodist Church, Northowram, Heywood's Chapel: War Memorial, Heywood's Chapel: Graveyard, Ministers at Heywood's Chapel and Northowram United Reformed Church
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