The foundation of the Chapel

Until the mid 17th century there was only one building used for public worship in Ainsworth and that was “Cockey Chapel”, now known as Christ Church Ainsworth. Historical records show that in 1647 the Trustees of Cockey Chapel were Presbyterians, as was the majority of the congregation. Even the ministers were of Presbyterian persuasion. Apparently the church would have a Church of England service in the morning and a nonconformist service in the afternoon.

This strange situation appears to have carried on even after the 1662 Act of Uniformity was passed, forbidding any kind of worship other than Church of England worship. The strength of Presbyterianism on Cockey moor was such that the law didn’t have much effect.However, things changed for the worse with the passing of the Five Mile Act in 1667. This act made it a crime for any nonconformist minister to be found within five miles of any place where he had been minister. Deprived of a minister and a place of worship the Presbyterians began to meet and worship in secret in the hollow of the hills behind what is now Ainsworth Nursing home, where the upper lodge is today.

Things changed when Charles II issued the “Declaration of Indulgence” that suspended all penal laws against nonconformist worship. After 10 years of persecution, dissenting ministers were once again free to preach under licence.

On 5th Sept. 1672 a Mr John Lever was granted a licence to preach at a “new” Presbyterian meeting house on Cockey Moor in the parish of Middleton. This earlier chapel was so close to Christ Church that the two congregations could hear each other singing! Its location remains a mystery, but we do know it was in existence from 1672 till 1715 when the present chapel was built.

[Ref: Ainsworth Unitarians]