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More historical notes Follow the various links for more information on those earlier days
In the 12th century the town of Leigh was made up of six townships, including Chowbent, Lowton and Pennington, where weekly markets were held and a cattle fair held twice-yearly. Leigh was divided in its allegiance during the English Civil War, some of the population supporting the Royalists cause while others supported the Parliamentarians. A battle was fought in the town on December 2, 1642, when 3,000 Chowbenters beat back and then routed Cavalier troops under the command of James Stanley, the 7th Earl of Derby. The Earl of Derby passed through Leigh again in 1651, when he spent his last night in the King's Arms, before going on to his execution in Bolton. The original Chowbent chapel was built in 1645 on land owned, and loaned by “Ye Lord of Atherton”, a supporter of religious dissent. The building described as a low brick edifice’ no longer exists: the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist standing in its place (approximately). Two years before this date, the Civil War had begun. Episcopacy (rule by Bishops) and the Book of Common Prayer (of 1559) had been abolished and, for a brief time, the nation was officially English Presbyterian.
Chowbent chapel was such a Presbyterian congregation meaning that it exercised a local autonomy via elected elders, called its own Minister and adopted its own order of service. Though now Unitarian in religious tone, these principles remain the case today. Though there was strong reaction in many areas to the ways of the Anglican church there seems to have been little or no local hostility; it was noted that a copy of both Bible and Prayer Book were kept in the Chowbent pulpit for use by the Vicar of Leigh on his regular visits. Happily cordial relations have been preserved between “Chowbenters” and the Anglican community of Atherton.
The present chapel retains the only known surviving artefacts from the 1645 building, namely the Communion table and two fine Commonwealth silver communion cups gifted by Robert Mort in 1654, The cups are kept securely in a local vault and are brought to chapel only for special occasions. A nail studded door that separates the chapel from the vestry is also thought to be from the original 1645 chapel.
The original Chowbent chapel was built in 1645 on land owned, and loaned by “Ye Lord of Atherton”, a supporter of religious dissent. The building described as a low brick edifice’ no longer exists: the Parish church of St. John the Baptist standing in its place (approximately). Two years before this date, the Civil War had begun. Episcopacy (rule by Bishops) and the Book of Common Prayer (of 1559) had been abolished and, for a brief time, the nation was officially English Presbyterian.
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