Rowlands Wesleyan Chapel Summerseat, Nr. Bury, Lancashire

The first Wesleyan Chapel of Summerseat was built in 1830 at which time only a small society existed in the area, it had a graveyard attached, and was later used as the Sunday School. The society grew rapidly and in 1847 a new chapel was opened, largely financed by John Robinson Kay, one of the trustees. The church closed in 1973 and was demolished shortly afterwards, only a mausoleum and the graveyard now remains. The church was in the Bury (Union Street) Wesleyan Methodist Circuit. The original marriage records are held at Bury Archives. Copies of the baptism and burial records are available at Ramsbottom Library, the originals are kept at the home of a local parishioner. The first four photos were obtained from Bury Library Computer and the dates they were taken is unknown. The second photo is of the original chapel which became the school, which is still in use today. The last five photos were taken in August 1975 shortly before the chapel was demolished.