“Methodists in Earby, Kelbrook and Salterforth”, by Stephanie Carter, has been written to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the opening of the first Methodist church in Earby, in 1821.

Here historian Bob Abel of Earby and District Local History Society takes a look at the publication.

The latest of Stephanie Carter’s local history books has just been published and copies are available now.

The book, ‘Methodists in Earby, Kelbrook and Salterforth, takes an in-depth at all the Methodist churches in the three villages in this area of West Craven.

Its pages interweaves their histories with the history of the villages and the people who were and are stalwarts of the local Methodist community from the mid-18th century to the present day.

In their heyday the Methodist churches, as well as catering for the spiritual needs of the community they served, were also a centre of community life and many events were focused on these buildings.

They provided the stage for many talented local musicians and actors, there were sports days, walking days, rambles, tea parties and all manner of social events.

They were at the heart of the community.

The churches also contributed to the education of young people with their attendant Sunday schools; the one in Riley Street in Earby eventually becoming a day school.

Methodism began in the 18th century with John Wesley as the leading light and the first Methodist preachers appeared in the area in the mid 1700s.

Wesley himself preached in Colne in 1766 and 1780.

Eventually churches were established in Earby, Kelbrook and Salterforth.

The history of the Methodism in the area is somewhat complicated with the different branches of Methodism and the closure and opening of the several churches.

Earby’s first Methodist church was opened in 1821 at Stoopes Hill, on Stoneybank.

Before that the the Earby Methodist followers would have had to walk to Barnoldswick for services but as their numbers increased they began meeting locally in members’ cottages.

On occasion, barns and even outdoor services were held.

The original chapel occupied the upper storeys of a row of cottages on Stoneybank and was accessed by an external staircase.

By the mid-19th century Earby began to develop as a textile town drawing in workers from the surrounding areas many of whom were adherents to the Methodist cause.

Despite extensions, the church on Stoneybank became overwhelmed and eventually a new and bigger purpose-built church was planned.

It opened, in 1861, in Riley Street.

Kelbrook’s first Methodist church was established in 1826 in Waterloo Road.

As in Earby before that people would congregate in any suitable venue.

As early as 1814 it was stated on the Colne Methodist plan for the Colne Circuit that there was a preaching place in Kelbrook.

Again like Earby the first church occupied the upper storey of a cottage which eventually proved inadequate for a growing congregation.

A new purpose-built church was erected on the main Colne to Skipton road.

The foundation stones were laid in 1890 and the first service was conducted in the completed church the following year.

Salterforth was a hotbed of non-conformism with adherents to the Quakers and Inghamites as well as Methodists and Baptists.

In fact the Methodists used the Quaker church for their services between 1900 and 1961.

The followers of Benjamin Ingham, a contemporary of John Wesley, met in Salterforth from 1751.

They were known as Inghamites and were an early form of Methodists.

The following was sufficiently strong to justify the building of a permanent church and in 1754 they purchased the land to build the Inghamite Chapel in Gateland Croft which was replaced in the 1930s.

Over the last two centuries there have been many ups and downs in the local Methodist churches and the book chronicles this journey right up to the present day.

The book has been extensively researched by Stephanie Carter using original Methodist archives, contemporary newspaper archives and by speaking with people who have been connected with the Methodist churches in the area.

It is published by the Earby and District Local History Society and is available at the price of £10 (£13-50 by post).

Copies can be ordered by contacting via email at: info@earbyhistory.co.uk or by telephoning 01282 812599.