METHODISM

A Wesleyan Society was formed in Radcliffe in 1793 (ref Rev Thomas Taylor's autobiography) but it is not certain wether this was at Radcliffe Bridge (existed prior to 1804) or at Radcliffe Close (near Parish Church) where meetings were being held in 1801.

Bridge Wesleyan (Milltown Street)
• began on the site of the later Co-operative Society building (later One-stop) adjacent to the Irwell Bridge in what was 'a small inward square of handloom weavers cottages' which became known as 'Methody Fowt'
• Later a large room used in Sugar Lane, a short street which dissappeared when the Public Library was extendedin 1960-61
• 29 April 1815 a new chapel (with earthen floor and a gallery) opened on the present Library site, fronting on to Stand Lane (sold in 1883, used for some years as a printing works, and later demolished in 1906 to make way for the Public Library)
• present (2002) building built in Milltown Street opened 7 February 1883 in 1932 after the Methodist Union, Radcliffe Bridge Wesleyan Chapel became Radcliffe Bridge Methodist Church

Close Wesleyan Chapel (Bury Street)
• founded in 1801 in a room in Bealeys Bleach Works as was sponsored by Mrs Mary Bealey
• purpose built building opened in 1839 on Bury Street where the present building stands
• 1975 the 1839 building demolished and a new church erected on the site by 1976

St Paul's Wesleyan Church (now Wesley Church)
• began 1881 in a cottage in Stanley Street
• 1886 a school built which also served as the church
• new church built 1901 in Ainsworth Road at the junction with Turks Road
• 1962 under a re-organisation, the former churches at Railway Street, United Methodist Smyrna Street, and Black Moss were united under the name of Wesley Methodist Church, using the former St Paul's premises

Black Moss (Bolton Road Methodist)
• founded at Black Moss as a mission from Smyrna Street in a cottage
• January 1892 a church/Sunday School was erected in Bolton Road
• when Black Moss was united with St Paul's the building was turnd over to trade (and is still in use as such today October 2002)

United Methodist Church (formerly Methodist New Connection)
• began in some cottages in Water Lane near the canal bridge in 1853
• 1855 moved to the corner of Smyrna Street and Ainsworth Road where a Sunday School was held, and also used as a church
• Ainsworth Road church site opened in September 1910
• February 1962 merged with st Paul's and redundant building sold and used for trade
• 2001? building demolished to be replaced by Irwell Valley Housing Association housing

Independent Methodist (Bridgefield Street)
• started as a mission and temperance movement in 1885 in the Good Templar Hall in Green street, later in King Street
• 7 December 1892 new school and chapel opened in Bridgefield Street

Primitive Methodist Church (Chapelfield) situated half way up the hill of Stand Lane, on the corner of Stand Lane and Union Street
• began in Edward Street about 1830 (site became know as 'Ranters Row')
• later moved to sugar Lane
• new church and Sunday School opened in 1892
• closed in the 1950s

Primitive Methodist Church and Sunday School (Railway Street)
• opened on 15 October 1867
• building sold for trade in 1959 when church linked up with St Paul's
• building demolished about 1982