Nonconformity in north east Lancashire 1662-1962

Abstract

This thesis examines the beginning or a religious movement in the north of England in an area nestling in the Pennines, on the boundaries of West Yorkshire . This area of North East Lancashire includes Bacup in the south, Clieroe in the north. Coins in the east, and Blackburn in the west. This movement with its roots in the Continental Reformation and the Reformed Tradition was first expressed in this area through the belief and action of Puritan ministers in the Church of England, who in 1662, refused to conform to the Act of Uniformity and Prayer Book worship. They were called Dissenters or Nonconformists . Catholics formed their own Dissent, The Puritan ministers who dissented were ejected from their livings. The first leader of this movement in the area was Thomas Jolly, the Puritan minister of Altham Parish Church, near Padiham. Jolly inaugurated the Independent or Congregational form of church government. In 1670 Jolly, established in Accrington, linked up with the Presbyterians already established in the Blackburn area. About the same time other Nonconformists accepting the principles of Believers' Baptism, moved into into the area from West Yorkshire and made contact with the Independents. The thesis examines the introduction of Methodism into the area around Colne through the influence of William G rims haw the Puritan minister of Haworth. It traces the extension of Methodism through Colne, Nelson, Burnley, Blackburn and the Rossendale Valley. It also considers some of the divisions within Methodism. With the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and the development of the textile and ancillary industries, the thesis looks at the effects of population movement and growth and the attendant social problems on Nonconformity .The author gives an account of the growth of Nonconformist leadership in civic life, the entrepreneurial ideal, the conflicts between church and chapel on civic diabilities and the relevance and mission of Nonconformity in the new circumstances of the early twentieth century. The thesis concludes with an account of decline supported by statistics in the appendices and the options opened in a positive way to Nonconformists today.