THE BAPTIST CHAPEL IN HAPTON
Little is known about the Baptist Chapel in the village of Hapton.
It was referred to by the local people as “the tin tabernacle” because of its corrugated- iron roof.
Several elderly villagers have provided the following information:-
LOCATION
The Chapel stood adjacent to “the AMBULANCE HUT” on land at the end of Whitfield Street and Simpson Street (now HAMPDEN STREET).
DATE OF OPENING
DECEMBER 12th 1908
“On this date a Baptist Chapel was opened in a field, alongside the canal in Hapton” (Sourced: John Hudson)
The Chapel was relatively short-lived. Miss Madge Whittaker remembers the Chapel when she was “a little girl”. She speaks of it standing “on the end of Simpson Street (then known as Pendle View).
This gives sufficient to say that the chapel was still active as a place of worship in 1927.
Mr. Donald Miller confirmed these facts. He added “it had gone before the War” (been dismantled).
Miss Whittaker remembers villager, Mr. Lord (father of Mrs. Doreen Lambert, nee Lord) who was once a member/attendee of this Chapel.
Mr. Roland Pate remembers the AMBULANCE HUT from his boyhood but has no recollection of the Baptist chapel. We therefore know that the Baptist Chapel had disappeared by 1942
MAP OF HAPTON dated 1946 shows a building in this location but not a chapel – therefore the Ambulance Hut, which may, indeed, has continued in use into the 1950’s.
Mrs. Christine Durkin, a resident of Hapton for 75 years, has no memory of this chapel. Perhaps, it therefore disappeared before 1937.
Roman Catholics were not allowed access to the chapel or its social functions, as a result of which, it was often bombarded by stones thrown onto the tin roof to cause disruption to their proceedings.
STRUCTURE
The Chapel has been described as “a tin hut”. It may well have been part metal or wholly comprised of corrugated sheeting. It was quite small. All, however, agree that the roof was made of corrugated iron.
I wish to thank the following persons for their help and information, also their time spent in conversation and correspondence:-
Miss M. Whittaker……. Simpson Street
Mr. D. Miller…………….Castle Street
Mrs. B. Marshall…………Manchester Road
Mr. R. Pate……………….Wordsworth Street
Mrs. C. Durkin…………..Wood Street
Mrs. B. Hayman…………..Coronation Avenue, Padiham
This “file” remains “open” for further information to be added or details to be adjusted, accordingly, as enquiries continue.
Mrs. Joan C. M. Smith
Simpson Street, Hapton
22.01.2013
APPENDUM
- 1. The Baptist Chapel in Hapton was referred to locally and synonymously as
THE TIN TABERNACLE
THE TIN MISSION or
THE MISSION
- 2. The aforementioned Mr. Lord (Baptist Chapel attendee/ member?) was Mr. Ephraim Lord.
Source – WIKIPEDIA
TIN TABERNACLES
These prefabs were made of corrugated, galvanised iron (developed in the mid nineteenth century in Great Britain.
After 1950 many” prefabs” were used as small churches, chapels and mission halls.
The building material was cheap, and could be easily erected.
Chapels cost between £2 and £4 per sitting. E.g. a chapel for 500 at Birkenhead cost £2000 to build.
The majority were very much smaller. Prices decreased at the end of the 1800’s.
Several tin tabernacles still survive, (although rather more detailed in design) and have gained listed building status.
